Skip to main content

Full text of "The annals of Albany"

See other formats


C\J 


CD 


CO 


IvemrJ      k.*vo  I 

|  ARBOR  | 

Presented  to  the 

UBRAKYofthe 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO 

by 

TJTA?.IO  LEGISLATIVE   LI3?JQY 


SECOND    DUTCH    CHURCH, 
Beaver  Street.     Erected  1806. 


THE 


I 


ANNALS  OF  ALBANY. 


BY  JOEL  MUNSBLL. 


VOL.    X. 


, 


ALBANY: 

MUNSELL  &  ROWLAND,  PRINTERS. 

1859. 


CONCLUDING  AND  GENERAL  ADDRESS 
TO  THE  KEADEK. 


Agreeably  to  the  announcement  made  in  the  last  volume,  this 
work  is  now  brought  to  a  close.  Although  ten  volumes  have  been 
published,  they  are  very  far  from  containing  all  that  has  been  writ- 
ten, not  to  mention  what  remains  unwritten,  on  the  opkomst,  aan- 
was  en  geschiedenis — the  origin,  progress,  and  history,  of  Albany. 

A  peculiar  and  unique  interest  attaches  to  Albany,  as  the  eldest 
born  of  existing  settlements  in  the  original  United  States:  and, 
during  the  entire  two  and  a  half  centuries  that  have  elapsed  since 
her  origin,  she  has  not  ceased  to  be  regarded  as  a  place  of  public 
consideration  and  importance.  In  the  Colonial  times,  Albany  was 
the  great  entrepot  of  the  Indian  trade.  Here  the  lordly  Iroquois 
met  their  white  brethren  in  council ;  and  treaties  were  entered  into, 
and  leagues  were  formed.  And  here,  under  the  leadership  of  Frank- 
lin, the  assembled  delegates  of  the  different  colonies  first  learned 
to  exercise  the  confederated  power  that,  some  thirty  years  later, 
achieved  their  independence  of  all  foreign  rule.  And,  on  the  sur- 
rounding hills,  or  covering  the  lowlands  by  the  river  side,  here  were 
gathered  and  marshaled  those  brilliant  hosts,  that  marched  forth  to 
contest,  with  various  fortune  but  final  success,  the  French  supremacy 
in  America.  And,  as  the  patriotic  statesmen  of  the  Colonies  had 


*v  Concluding  and  General  Address. 

here  essayed  their  nascent  powers,  so  here  did  the  youthful  Provin- 
cial chivalry  first  learn  to  emulate  the  strict  discipline  and  trained 
courage  of  their  veteran  companions  in  arms,  the  gallant  soldiers  of 
England.  And  years  after,  when  marching  to  the  national  air  they 
here  first  appropriated  as  their  own,  they  met  their  former  allies  on 
the  battle  field,  they  showed  that  the  lessons  thus  commenced  had 
not  been  learned  in  vain.  In  truth,  the  history  of  Colonial  Albany 
is  filled  with  brilliant  scenes  and  soul-stirring  memories.  Nor  is 
the  Albany  of  the  Revolution  deficient  in  similar,  and,  for  us, 
prouder  pictures.  When  to  Albany  the  army  of  Burgoyne  was 
led  captive,  from  the  glorious  field  of  Saratoga,  the  first  great  suc- 
cess of  the  war  was  achieved  ;  and  the  happy  event  of  the  struggle, 
though  distant,  became  assured.  The  writer  regrets  that  he  has 
only  been  able  to  indicate  scenes,  that  would  afford  the  fullest  scope 
to  the  life-giving  pencil  of  the  historian.  And,  warned  by  his 
limited  space,  he  must  turn  to  a  homelier  theme  —  yet  one  that  is 
not  wanting  in  deep  interest  to  many  of  his  readers. 

Earlier  travelers  have  presented  the  inhabitants  of  Albany  in  a 
light  far  from  flattering ;  and  Irving's  gracefully  humorous  pen  has 
scattered  far  and  wide,  ridiculous  pictures  of  the  race  that  long 
constituted  the  great  bulk  of  the  population.  The  Dutch  require 
no  defense  at  our  hands.  If  Irving's  amusing  sallies  have  some- 
what lowered  the  popular  appreciation  of  the  Dutch  character, 
another  American  of  English  blood  has  more  than  atoned  for  the 
wrong.  The  brightest  chaplet  woven  in  honor  of  Holland  and  her 
people,  has,  in  our  day,  been  laid  upon  the  altar  of  Fame  by  the 
New  Englander,  MOTLEY. 

As  regards  the  faults  of  the  early  inhabitants  of  Albany,  we  may 
well  pause,  when  we  witness  the  vices  that,  even  in  this  enlightened 
day,  seem  inseparable  from  the  prosecution  of  the  Indian  trade; 
and,  learning  humility  from  the  sight,  we  can  not  fail  to  extend  the 
broad  mantle  of  charity  over  the  misdeeds  of  the  rude  burgers  of 
another  age.  But,  if  need  be,  there  are  other  arguments  to  be  urged 
in  extenuation  of  the  unpolished  manners  and  other  short-comings 
of  our  predecessors.  Lying  on  the  very  verge  of  civilization,  for  a 


Concluding  and  General  Address.  v 

long  time  in  her  history,  trade  and  self-defence  were  the  paramount 
objects  of  solicitude  with  the  people  of  Albany.  It  could  hardly  be 
expected  that  such  an  outpost  would  become  eminent  for  luxury  and 
refinement,  while  surrounded  by  innumerable  perils.  The  town 
that  was  "  really  the  frontier  of  all  North  America"  (p.  107),  could 
not  neglect  the  trade  to  which  it  owed  its  origin,  or  the  vigilance 
necessary  to  its  existence,  in  order  to  indulge  in  the  sophisticated 
pursuits  of  a  community  surrounded  by  all  the  blandishments  of 
peace,  and  ease,  and  plenty.  And  finally,  when  the  danger,  to 
which  they  had  become  roughly  inured,  was  removed,  it  could  not 
reasonably  be  anticipated  that  these  sturdy  men  would,  at  once, 
become  shining  examples  of  refinement — that  wealth  in  beaver 
skins  would  at  once  give  place  to  wealth  in  letters. 

But  years  have  passed  since  those  "  troublous  times ;"  and  it  is 
believed  that  during  the  interval  the  progress  of  Albany,  in  every 
thing  that  elevates  and  adorns  civilized  life,  has  been  commensurate 
with  that  of  her  neighbors.  Literature,  science,  and  the  arts  have 
many  votaries  in  our  midst ;  and  recent  travelers,  as  well  as  the 
assembled  scientific  magnates  of  the  Union,  have  not  failed  to  bear 
testimony  to  the  elegant,  refined,  and  generous  hospitality,  of  the 
citizens  of  Albany. 

It  gives  the  editor  much  pleasure  that  he  is  able  to  close 
this  sketch  by  an  extract  from  the  Illustrated  London  News  of 
Jan.  15,  1859,  fully  sustaining  the  opinion  above  expressed.  The 
extract  is  from  the  "  Transatlantic  Sketches,"  addressed  to  the 
News  by  its  editor,  the  distinguished  poet  and  cultivated  gentleman, 
Dr.  CHARLES  MACKAT,  during  a  recent  tour  through  the  United 
States. 

"  Travelling  thus  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river  for  upwards 
of  one  hundred  miles,  I  arrived  at  Albany,  and  betook  myself  to 
Congress  Hall,  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city.  This  hotel  was 
recommended  to  me  as  an  establishment  much  frequented  by  mem- 
bers of  the  two  houses  of  the  legislature,  who  here  in  the  capital  of 
the  "  Empire  State,"  undertake  the  local  government  of  a  common- 
wealth almost  as  large  as  England,  and  nearly  doubly  as  populous 


vi  Concluding  and  General  Address. 

as  Scotland.  I  had  no  reason  to  repent  my  choice,  and  during  a 
residence  of  ten  days  was  enabled  to  see  the  Senators  in  deshabille, 
and  to  learn  something  of  the  mode  and  the  agencies  by  which 
public  and  private  bills  are  brought  into  and  carried  through  par- 
liament in  an  ultra  democracy.  ******  Albany  — 
beautifully  situated  on  ground  rising  steeply  from  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson  —  contains  about  fifty  thousand  inhabitants,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  attractive,  cleanly,  well-ordered,  and  elegant  cities  of 
America.  Though  overshadowed  by  the  commercial  greatness  of 
New  York,  which  in  this  respect  it  can  never  hope  to  rival,  it  is, 
next  to  Washington,  the  greatest  focus  of  political  life  within  the 
limits  of  the  confederacy.  Between  the  commercial  and  the  political 
capital  of  this  great  state  (which  it  has  recently  been  proposed  to 
call  Ontario  instead  of  New  York),  there  is  a  great  contrast.  New 
York  city  is  busy,  unscrupulous,  energetic,  ill-governed,  full  of 
rowdyism,  and  the  most  violent  manifestations  of  mob-law  and 
mob-caprice ;  but  Albany  is  staid,  decent,  and  orderly.  The  tone 
of  society  is  quiet  and  aristocratic ;  and  the  whole  appearance  of  the 
place  gives  the  traveller  an  idea  of  wealth  and  refinement.  Further 
acquaintance  only  tends  to  confirm  the  impression.  State  street  —  at 
the  top  of  which,  in  the  Park,  a  beautiful  open  space,  adorned  with 
noble  elms  and  maples,  stand  the  Capitol  and  other  principal  public 
buildings  —  rises  steeply  from  the  water's  edge  to  the  crown  of  the 
hill.  It  is  a  broad  and  handsome  thoroughfare,  and  at  various 
points  commands  a  picturesque  view  over  the  Hudson  to  the  lofty 
green  hills  beyond.  Albany  is  a  place  of  considerable  trade  and 
manufacture.  It  produces  very  excellent  cabinet-work  of  all  kinds, 
and  is  particularly  celebrated  for  its  stoves,  grates,  and  ornamental 
iron- work.  It  has  two,  if  not  three  daily  newspapers,  and  a  flourish- 
ing literary  and  scientific  institution.  The  Roman  Catholic  Cathe- 
dral is  internally  one  of  the  largest  and  most  magnificent  ecclesi- 
astical edifices  in  America.  Here  high  mass  is  sometimes  performed 
with  a  splendor  and  completeness,  orchestral  and  vocal,  not  to  be 
excelled  even  in  Paris  or  Vienna,  and  to  which  London,  as  far  as  I 
know,  can  make  no  pretentious.  Albany  is  the  proposed  site  of 


Concluding  and  General  Address.  vii 

what  promises  to  be  the  noblest  observatory  in  America,  to  the 
foundation  of  which  the  public  spirit  of  a  private  citizen  (if  the 
term  be  applicable  to  a  lady)  has  contributed  the  sum  of  80,000 
dollars." 

The  editor  will  not  apologize  for  the  length  of  this  extract,  for 
he  feels  that  it  can  not  but  prove  both  interesting  and  agreeable  to 
his  readers.  He  must,  however,  beg  that  they  will  bear  him  com- 
pany a  little  longer,  while  he  turns  aside  to  speak  of  the  work 
completed  with  the  present  volume. 

He  has  been  told  by  friends,  who  sympathize  with  the  feelings 
that  prompted  the  undertaking,  that  it  is  due,  as  well  to  his  readers 
as  to  himself,  that  he  should  give  a  sketch  of  the  origin  and  pro- 
gress of  the  work,  and  of  tlie  difficulties  that  have  made  it  incum- 
bent on  him  to  bring  it  to  a  close,  while  so  rich  a  store  of  materials 
for  the  history  of  Albany  yet  remains  unpublished  to  the  world. 
Guided  by  the  judgment  of  these  —  perhaps  too  partial  —  friends,  he 
will  conclude  this  notice  by  giving  a  concise  bibliographical  account 
of  the  Jlnnals  of  Albany.  The  very  nature  of  the  subject  requiring 
that  he  should  speak  of  himself — of  his  trials,  troubles  and  disap- 
pointments —  he  trusts  that  his  readers,  with  a  generous  indulgence, 
will  pardon  the  seeming  egotism  with  which  he  confides  to  them 
the  story  of  his  personal  connection  with  the  work. 

This  work  was  begun  as  an  annual  almanac  in  the  year  1849.  It 
was  soon  evident  that  its  more  costly  bulk,  and  the  limited  circle 
of  patrons  to  whom  its  purely  local  character  commended  it,  would 
forbid  the  hope  of  its  competing  with  the  various  general  almanacs, 
scattered  cheaply  over  the  laud.  But  the  editor  still  believed  that 
a  work  of  more  permanent  character,  addressed  to  the  restrospective 
curiosity  —  the  historic  instincts  —  of  his  fellow-citizens,  would  meet 
with,  at  least,  an  adequate  support.  New  material  was  therefore 
added  to  that  already  collected,  and,  in  1850,  the  first  volume  of 
the  dnnals  appeared.  The  anticipations  of  the  editor  and  publisher 
were  not  realized ;  but  being  somewhat  deeply  imbued  with  the 
antiquarian  spirit,  and  still  hopeful  that  a  responsive  feeling  might 
be  awakened  by  his  very  efforts,  he  continued  his  labors;  and 


viii  Concluding  and  General  Address. 

volume  after  volume  was  produced.  At  length  it  "became  but  too 
evident  that  such  hopes  were  illusory  and  vain.  It  will  surprise 
many  of  his  readers  to  learn  that  the  whole  body  of  his  patrons,  at 
home  and  abroad,  numbered  but  little  more  than  one  hundred.  And 
a  very  limited  acquaintance  with  the  book  trade  will  be  sufficient  to 
assure  them  that  one  hundred  dollars  will  fall  far  short  of  the  simple 
cost  of  the  engravings,  paper,  printing,  and  binding  —  even  of  a 
book  so  little  pretentious  to  typographical  luxuriousness  as  is  the 
one  they  are  now  perusing.  His  not  too  plethoric  purse  admonished 
the  editor  that  he  must  bring  his  labors  to  a  close.  And  it  only 
became  a  question  with  him  how  to  round  off  the  series  in  a  manner 
that  would  not  disappoint  the  kind  friends  who,  at  the  outset,  bid- 
ding him  God  speed,  had  ever  since  welcomed  his  annual  offerings . 
He  would  not  wish  to  leave  a  fragmentary  and  altogether  incom  - 
plete  work  upon  their  hands :  and  he  has  continued  the  series 
until  now  that  he  can  close  it  without  dishonor.  This  tenth  volume 
completes  the  Notes  from  the  Newspapers,  to  the  year  1847,  when  the 
annual  chronicle  of  the  work  commenced.  And  having  thus  pre- 
sented a  continuous  chronology  of  the  principal  events,  as  found  in 
the  newspapers,  for  the  past  eighty-eight  years  (from  1771  to  1859), 
the  editor  trusts  that  he  may  be  permitted  to  retire  from  his  labors, 
with  the  friendly  sympathy  and  kind  adieus  of  those  who  have 
accompanied  him  on  his  way. 

He  regrets  that  the  transcripts  from  the  City  Records  must  re- 
main incomplete,  terminating  as  they  do,  with  the  year  1753.  They 
were  begun  in  the  second  volume  with  the  year  1686,  when  the 
charter  was  received  from  Gov.  Dongan,  and  have  been  published 
nearly  entire,  embracing  a  period  of  almost  seventy  years.  These 
records  are  preserved  in  the  Chamberlain's  office,  but  are  not 
wholly  safe  from  the  danger  of  loss,  and  having  no  indexes,  they 
are  as  a  sealed  book  to  those  who  wish  to  consult  them.  The 
portions  yet  unpublished  comprise  the  periods  of  the  old  French 
war,  and  of  the  Revolution  ;  and  they  abound  with  valuable  and 
most  interesting  historical  matter.  Let  us  hope  that  some  future 
board  of  the  Common  Council  will  undertake  the  task  —  which  proved 


Concluding  and  General  Address.  ix 

too  great  for  the  unaided  means  of  the  writer  —  of  presenting  to  the 
world  a  complete  edition  of  the  City  Records  of  Albany. 

Should  these  volumes  at  any  future  time,  fall  into  the  hands  of  a 
stranger,  the  editor  and  publisher  trusts  that  the  statement  here 
given  will  account  for  and  excuse  such  imperfections  as  may  exist. 
Had  his  enterprise  received  a  more  liberal  support,  it  would  have 
delighted  him  to  secure  to  the  work  a  higher  grade  of  literary  labor, 
to  embellish  it  with  more  expensive  illustrations,  and  to  issue  it  to 
his  patrons,  a  specimen  of  sumptuous  typography.  But  it  was  not 
to  be.  As  strict  economy  required,  the  literary  labor  devolved 
almost  wholly  upon  himself. 

But  he  will  not  dwell  upon  the  hours  stolen  from  that  repose 
rendered  necessary  by  the  toilsome  avocations  of  the  day,  and  de- 
voted to  turning  over  the  dusty  files  of  old  newspapers,  or  to  the 
deciphering  of  the  crabbed  writings  of  a  past  generation.  He  will 
not  speak  of  days  of  rest  passed  among  the  tombs,  and  employed 
in  copying  the  brief  mementos  of  those  sleeping  their  last  sleep 
beneath.  Nor  will  he  complain  of  these  tasks,  for  they  have,  in- 
deed, been  labors  of  love. 

Perhaps,  in  after  years,  when  his  own  form  has  long  lain  mould- 
ering in  the  dust,  some  kindred  spirits  will  pleasantly  recall  his 
memory,  and  thank  him  for  these  memorials  of  the  past  he  has 
helped  to  rescue  from  oblivion.  In  dreams  like  these  the  antiquary 
finds  his  cherished,  though  unsubstantial  recompense. 

ALBANY,  April  12,  1859. 


ILLUSTKATIONS. 


Second  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church, Front. 

Public  Stocks, 106 

Fac-simile  of  the  Signature  of  Thomas  Seger,  ...  160 

Dutch  Church  in  State  Street, 218 

Ancient  Costume, 218 

Exchange  Building, 263 

Portrait  of  Charles  E.  Dudley, 310 

Portrait  of  Thomas  Hastings  Cushman, 322 

Agave  Americana, 332,  335 

Stanwix  Hall, 354 

Portrait  of  Abraham  Van  Vechten, 382 

Vegetable  Market, 416 

St.  Peter's  Church, 427 

Church  of  Holy  Innocents, 432 

Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church,.  440 


CONTENTS. 


The  City  Records, '. 9 

Freedoms  Purchased  in  1781, 153 

Ancient  Burial  Ground, 154 

Agreement  with  the  Wharf  Association, 155 

Warranty  Deed  of  a  Negro  Sweep, 156 

Bill  of  Sale  of  Pompey,  a  Slave,  to  the  Corporation,  151 

Opening  of  Ferry  Street, , 158 

Proposals  for  Keeping  the  Watch,  1787, 159 

Common  Council  Address  to  the  Public  on  the  Great 

Fire  of  1793, , 160 

Fast  Day  Recommended  by  the  Clergy  on  account 

of  the  Fire  of  1797, 161 

A  Corporation  Bill  for  Punch, 161 

Geology  of  Albany  County, 162 

The  City's  Ancient  Ravines, 167 

Scraps  from  the  Dutch  Records, 170 

Macauley's  Account  of  Albany, 172 

Random  Recollections, 189 

Reminiscences  of  Albany  by  Elkanah  Watson,  .'. . .  219 

Petition  of  Rev.  G.  Dellius  for  payment  of  Services,  223 

Notes  from  the  Newspapers, 225 


xii  Contents. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten, 382 

Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages, 384 

Census  of  Albany  County  in  1840, 398 

Notices  of  the  Winters,  It89  to  1831, 401 

Annals  of  the  Year  1858, 406 

Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents, 432 

Third  Eeformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church, 440 

Memoir  of  John  Lovett, 450 

Index, 451 


ANNALS  OF  ALBANY. 


THE  CITY  RECORDS. 

Continued  from  vol.  ix,  p.  80. 

Alt  a  Common  Council  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany, 
this  10th  Day  of  July,  1731— Present,  John  De  Pey- 
ster.Esq.  Mayor,  Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  Esq.  Recorder, 
Ryer  Gerritse,  Tobyas  Ryckman,  Cornelius  Cuyler, 
Johannis  Roseboom,  Jun'r,  Samuel  Pruyn,  Esqrs., 
aldermen,  Johannis  Van  Ostrander,  Johannis  Vischer, 
Jun'r,  Nicholas  Bleecker,  Jun'r,  Isaac  Lansingh,  as- 
sistants. ' 

A  Petition  of  Jan  Oothout  is  delivered  in  this  Common 
Council  and  the  same  is  taken  into  consideration. 

An  account  of  several   measures  received  from  New- 
York  for  this  city,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  one  pound 
seventeen  shillings  and  ten  pence,  being  as  follows: 
a  Gill                           -  £026 

a  Pint  -  ,-  -  0  4  0 
a  Quart  -  -  066 

a  i  gallon  -  -  -  -  0  12  0 
a  Stamping  the  same  -  -  0  0  10 
a  Beam 0  12  0 


£1   17  10 

Ordered  that  Barent  Bratt  pay  the  same  to  the  mayor 
to  send  the  same  down  to  New  York. 

1731,  July  20. — Whereas  an  Express  came  down  out 
of  the  name  of  Shaims  of  the  Indian  Castell  of  jenon- 
derogo  desired  the  Commonality  to  meet  the  Shaims  at 
the  Castell  in  the  time  of  five  or  six  days,  for  that  the 

[Annals,  x.]  2 


10  The  City  Records. 

Shaims  and  the  rest  of  the  Indians  of  said  Castell  where 
willing  and  desireus  as  to  make  a  gift  to  the  said  Com- 
monality of  the  wood  Land  joyning  behynd  the  Low  or 
Meddoland  of  Jenonderogo  which  they  heretefore  have 
given  in  trost  to  the  sd  Commonality. 

Whereupon  it  is  Resolved  that  John  De  Peyster,  Esq., 
mayor,.  Johannis  Roseboom,  Jun'r,  Esqr.,  Alderman,  Jo- 
hannis  Vischer,  Jun'r,  Gerrit  Lansingh,  Jun'r  and  Nich- 
olas Bleecker,  Jun'r,  Ass'ts,  being  apointed  a  comitte 
to  goo  to  the  said  Moquas  country  and  have  full  power 
to  act  with  said  Indians  for  the  most  beneficial  for  this 
city.  And  that  each  person  of  the  above  named  comitte 
shall  have  for  their  service  six  shillings  per  day  so  long 
as  they  are  upon  that  service,  besides  all  reasonable 
charges  and  six  shillings  more  each  on  the  whole  for  the 
horse,  and  that  they  take  up  along  with  them  (viz.)  four 
gallons  Rum,  two  gallons  Wine,  four  pounds  Sugger  and 
six  pounds  Tobaco. 

It  is  agreed  with  Mr.  Johannis  E.  Wendell  to  goo  along 
with  the  said  comitte  to  the  Moquas  country  as  an  inter- 
preter and  is  to  have  as  much  as  the  above  appointed 
comitte,  that  is  (viz.)  six  shillings  a  Day  so  long  as  they 
are  upon  that  service  and  six  shillings  .more  upon  the 
whole  for  the  horse. 

1731,  August  2. — An  account  of  severall  waights  re- 
ceived from  New  York  for  this  city,  amounting  to  the 
sum  of  one  pound  three  shillings  and  nine  fence,  being 
as  follows  (viz.) 

one  ps.  of        •         •         4  Ib. 

one  do.  of        -         •        2 

one  do.  of        •         •         1 

one  do.  of        -         -         J 

one  do.  of  an  ounce. 

In  all  7J  Ib.  &  one  ounce  a  3s.  per  Ib.     -      -        £129 
for  staming  the  same     •  010 

£139 

Ordered  that  Barent  Bratt  pay  the  same  to  the  mayor 
to  send  the  same  down  to  New  York. 


The  City  Records.  11 

1731,  September  2. — It  is  Resolved  that  a  Letter  be 
sent  down  to  New  York  to  the  Representatives  of  this 
city  and  county,  desireing  them  to  Jntest  for  an  act  of 
general  assembly  for  to  make  some  stoon  pints  and  Block- 
houses round  this  city  in  such  convenient  places  as  this 
Commonality  shall  think  fitt. 

It  is  ordered  that  Barent  Bratt,  city  Treasurer,  do  pay 
unto  Gerret  Van  Benthuyse  the  sum  of  eleven  shillings 
and  six  pence,  it  being  for  wood  delivered  for  ye  Watch. 

A  Petition  of  Harmanus  Ryckman  is  delivered  for  this 
Common  Council  and  the  same  is  referred  till  next  meet- 
ing. 

1731,  Sept.  18.  That*  whereas  Mr.  John  Cuyler  and 
Evert  Wendell  have  taken  ground  into  their  possession 
properly  belonging  to  this  city,  therefore  this  board  have 
promised  Mr.  Edwd  Collins  thirty  shillings  for  a  retain- 
ing fee  ags1  all  persons  as  also  30s.  agl  Mr.  Cuyler  and 
the  like  sum  agl  Mr.  Wendell. 

That  whereas  Mr.  Hend  Bries  has  preferred  a  Petition 
to  this  board,  praying  to  have  the  first  offer  to  purchase 
apiece  of  vacant  ground  lying  on  the  north  side  of  s'1 
Bries's  dwelling  house  and  lott,  running  along  the  same, 
it  is  therefore  resolved  to  take  the  same  into  considera- 
tion at  our  next  meeting. 

Whereas  James  Stenhouse  has  wrote  some  particular 
writeings  for  the  service  of  this  city,  ordered  therefore 
that  at  our  next  meeting  we  grant  an  order  to  Barent 
Bratt,  our  Treasurer,  to  pay  sd  James  Stenhouse  four- 
teen shillings. 

1731,  Sept.  22.  A  Petition  of  Joseph  Yates,  Jun'r, 
Jeremiah  Mendivel  and  Petrus  Ryckman  is  delivered  in 
this  Common  Council  and  the  same  is  referred  till  next 
meeting. 

It  is  ordered  that  Barent  Bratt,  city  Treasurer,  do  pay 
unto  James  Stenhouse  the  sum  of  fourteen  shillings,  it 
being  for  some  service  done  for  this  Commonality. 

It  is  likewise  ordered  that  Barent  Bratt,  city  Treasurer, 


12  The  City  Records. 

do  pay  unto  Gysbert  Van  Sante,  Dirck  Marten  and  Ja- 
cobus Hilton,  each  of  them  the  sum  of  one  pounds  ten 
shillings,  it  being  for  service  done  by  them  for  goeing 
down  to  New  York  and  back  again,  for  service  as  aforesd 
for  this  Commonality. 

Whereas  Evert  Wendell  has  taken  in  with  a  fence 
some  of  the  city  ground  lying  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Beavers  kill  and  to  the  west  of  the  fence  of  the  wedow 
Casperse,  without  leafe  or  leysence  of  the  Commonality, 
and  he  being  required  to  take  up  the  said  fence  between 
this  and  to  morrow  at  twelf  a  clock,  and  if  he  neglect  so 
to  do,  it  is  ordered  that  two  fitt  persons  (to  wit)  Jacobus 
Hilton  and  Richart  Martin  shall  be  appointed  to  cutt  and 
take  down  the  said  fence  and  we  do  promise  to  indemnify 
the  said  persons. 

Whereas  Johannis  Cuyler  has  taken  in  with  a  fence 
some  of  the  city  ground  lying  on  the  north  side  of  the 
lott  where  the  said  Cuyler  now  lives  and  fronting  the 
street  which  leads  up  the  hill  to  the  Pearle  street,  oppo- 
site to  the  House  of  David  Groesbeeck,  it  is  therefore 
ordered  that  two  fitt  persons  (to  witt)  Jacobus  Hilton 
and  Richart  Martin  be  appointed  to  cut  and  take  down 
the  said  fence,  and  the  same  persons  shall  be  indemnified 
by  us. 

1731,  Sept.  23.  Whereas  Mr.  Johannis  Cuyler  has 
desired  some  further  time  upon  the  above  resolution  of 
yesterday,  and  it  is  considered  by  this  Common  Council 
to  give  further  time  to  take  up  his  fence  between  this  and 
next  Thursday  the  30th  instant,  otherwise  that  the  above 
Resolution  shall  be  put'  in  execution  by  the  above  named 
persons  or  some  others  which  shall  be  appointed. 

1731,  Sept.  29.  In  persuance  of  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany,  two  aldermen,  two  ass'ts 
and  one  constable  being  chosen  this  day  in  each  respect- 
ive ward  of  the  sd  city  by  pluralitys  of  votes  by  the  in- 
habitants of  each  respective  wards  who  have  rite  to  chuse 
and  return  being  made  who  are  as  follows: 


The  City  Records.  1 3 

First  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Ryer  Gerritse,  Isaac  Lansing, 

Tobyas  Ryckman.  Joha's  Van  Ostrander. 

John  Olver,  Jim.,  Constable. 

Second   Ward. 

Cornelius  Cuyler,  Joba's  I.  Beeckmart, 

Joha's  Roseboom,  Jun.          Nicholas  Bleecker,  JuB. 
Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Samuel  Pruyn,  Gerrit  Lansingh,  Jun., 

Jacob  Lansingh.  Johannis  Visger,  Jun. 

Hendrick  Gerritse,  Constable. 

Barent  Bratt  chosen  and  appointed  City  Chamberlain 
or  Treasurer  for  this  insueing  year. 

Petrus  Ryckman  appointed  high  Constable  for  the  in- 
sueing year. 

1731,  October  7.  It  is  Resolved  that  the  Resolution 
of  the  22d  &  23d  of  September  last  past  shall  be  put  in 
execution  forthwitt  by  such  persons  as  shall  be  appointed 
which  are  appointed  accordingly  (viz/),  Gysbert  Van 
Sante  and  Jeremiah  Pemberton,  to  cutt  and  take  down 
the  fences  mentioned  in  the  aforesaid  Resolutions  and 
the  Commonality  do  promise  to  indemnify  the  above  said 
persons. 

Resolved  that  an  ordinance  be  made  and  published 
consearning  the  Regulations  for  the  Market-house  and 
places  in  this  city,  and  which  sd  ordinance  is  to  be  entered 
in  the  book  of  ordinances  kept  to  that  porpose. 

1731,  Oct.  9.  The  Ordinance  for  the  regulating  and 
the  markets  and  appointing  the  places  where  publish*1 
this  day  and  ordered  to  be  entred  in  the  Book  ordinances 
kept  for  that  porpose. 

The  severall  accounts  as  Debts  due  from  the  Corpora- 
tion to  the  severall  persons  hereunder  named  where  ex- 
amined and  allowed  amounting  in  the  whole  to  the  sum 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  pounds  one  shilling  and 
three  pence. 


14 


The  City  Records. 


Ordered  lhat  a  warraut  be  issued  out  to  the  Treasurer 
for  the  payment  of  the  same  (viz). 
To  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  for  firewood  and  one  fat 

sheep  -    £10:  0:  0 

To  Philip  Livingston  for  his  service  as  Clerk 

of  the  Commonality  for  ye  year  past          12:  0:  0 
To  Johannis  Segeras  Marchel  and  other  ser- 
vice         -  ...  8:16:  0 
To  Jacob  Eggemont  as  Belleman                  -     15:  0:  0 
To  Jeremiah  Pemberton  as  do                             15:0:0 
To  Ragel  Radliff  wed' w  of  Johannis  Radliff, 

dec'd         ......          5 

To  John  De  Peyster,  per  account  -     1 1 

To  Johannis  Roseboom  Jun.  per  do 

To  Gerrit  Lansingh  Jun.  per  do 

To  Cornelius  Cuyler,  per  do 

To  Myndert  Schuyler,  per  do 

To  Wynant  Van  Den  Bergh,  per  do      -     - 

To  Johannis  Visger  Jun.  per  do 

To  Nicholas  Bleecker  Jun.  per  do      • 

To  Samuel  Pruyn,  per  do 

To  Tobyas  Ryckman,  per  do  0 

To  Jan  Rosie,  per  do        -  1: 

To  Johannis  E.  Wendell,  per  do  .         2: 

To  Anna  Kitchnaers,  per  do         .  ,  2: 

To  Isaac  Lansingh,  per  do  0: 

To  Hendrick  Oothout,  per  do  -  0: 

To  William  Hogan,  per  do 

To  Johannis  Seger,  per  do  .6:5:  1} 

To  Edward  Collins  for  fees        -  4:10:0 

To  Joseph  Yates  Jun.  for  warning  people  to 

watch  -  1:10:  0 

To  Jeremiah  Mandivel  for  service  do  1:10:  0 

To  Petrus  Ryckman  for          do  1:10:  0 

To  Peter  Goewey  for  do  0:10:  0 

To  Jeremiah  Pemberton  for  striking  down 
fences  in  ye  Beavers  kill  behind  Joannis 
Beeckman  Jun.  -  -  -  -  2:5:0 


0:  0 
6:10 
16:  9 
10:  0 
13-.10J 
10:  6 
4:  9 
10:  0 
10:  0 
13:  0 
0 
8 
0 
6 
3 
0 
6 


16 
7: 

13: 
1: 
5- 

12 


Carried  over, 


£120:10:  3 


The  City  Records.  15 

Brought  over  £120:10:  3 

To  Gysbert  Van  Saute  for  same  and  charges       1:16:  0 
To  Richart  Hilton  for  striking  down  ye  fence 

in  the  Beavers  kill  -         •         •       0:15:0 


£123:  1:  3 

1731,  Oct.  13.  Whereas  there  was  an  agrem'  made 
in  Common  Council  the  3th  Augs1  1728,  with  Mr. 
Rutger  Bleecker,  then  mayor,  for  a  certain  ps  of  ground 
lying  in  foxes  kill  for  the  sum  of  five  pounds  and  five 
shillings,  and  that  the  convinence  of  the  same  should  be 
granted  to  Nicholas  Bleecker  according  to  the  Tennor  of 
the  said  Resolution  which  said  Resolution  is  hereby  con- 
firmed. And  Resolved  that  the  mayor  do  execute  a  deed 
for  the  same  in  behalf  of  the  Commonality. 

Anthony  Van  Scfhaick  appeared  here  in  Common 
Council  desiring  in  behalf  of  himself  and  De  wdw  Cattriena 
Van  Schaick  to  purchase  a  small  ps.  of  ground  adjoyning 
to  the  rest  of  there  lotts  to  the  west  of  the  street  and  to 
the  south  Ryer  Gerritse  and  to  the  north  the  street,  being 
broad  from  the  south  to  the  north  seven  rod  and  six  foot 
and  in  length  on  the  north  side  2-J-  foot  and  on  the  south 
side  six  foot  all  Rynland  measure,  and  as  the  same  is 
now  in  there  possession  and  fence,  which  the  Common- 
ality sold  this  day  to  the  said  Anthony  and  Cattriena 
Van  Schaick  for  the  sum  of  two  pounds. 

Resolved  yl  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  this  Commonality  do 
execute  a  Deed  for  the  same. 

Whereas  Jan  Winne  hath  heretofore  bought  a  lott  of 
ground  situate,  lying  and  being  at  the  foot  of  ye  Gallows 
hill  on  the  north  side  of  ye  lott  of  Jonathan  Broecks, 
containing  in  length  one  hundred  and  twenty  foot  wood 
measure  and  in  breath  on  the  front  to  the  east  side  of  sd 
lott  thirty  foot,  and  on  the  rear  twenty-five  foot  Rynland 
measure?  all  which  time  the  sd  Commonality  promised 
to  the  said  Winne  yl  in  case  the  five  foot  on  the  rear 
whould  not  be  in  the  way,  in  case  a  block  house  should 
be  erected  on  the  hill  that  then  they  would  lett  him  have 
it  for  a  reasonable  price  to  make  his  lott  square,  and 


16  The  City  Records. 

now  they  have  fued  the  same  and  find  it  of  no  hinderence 
wherefore  they  have  now  sold  it  to  the  sd  Winne  the  five 
foot  Ryuland  measure  on  the  rear  of  his  lott  and  so  along 
on  a  streight  line  to  ye  norteast  corner  of  his  said  lott, 
which  makes  a  Tryangle,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  ten 
shillings  and  the  writeings.  Resolved  that  the  mayor  in 
behalf  of  the  Commonality  do  execute  a  Deed  for  the 
same. 

Whereas  Johannis  Ostrander  made  application  to  this 
Commonality  to  be  made  a  freeman  of  this  city,  where- 
upon it  is  resolved  that  the  mayor  do  grant  the  said 
Ostrander  a  Laycence  for  the  same  and  that  he  pay  six 
shillings  for  the  use  of  the  city  and  fees. 

Whereas  a  Petition  is  presented  of  some  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  first  ward  for  to  make  and  erect  a  market 
house  upon  their  own  charges  at  the  water  side  opposite 
the  street  which  runs  up  between  Johan's  Lansing  and 
Luykas  Wyngaert,  which  is  granted  accordingly. 

The  severall  acc'ts  as  debts  due  from  the  Corporation 
to  the  severall  persons  hereunder  named  where  examined 
and  allowed  (viz). 

To  Nicholas  Schuyler  -  *  -  £10:2:0 
To  Matthew  Flansburgh  -  -  0:6:0 
To  Anthony Bogardus  -  -  -  3:16:6 
To  Gysbert  Van  Sante  -  -  -  0:13:6 

£14:18:9 

Ordered  y4  Barent  Bratt,  city  Treasurer,  do  pay  the 
same  to  ye  above  named  persons. 

1731,  Oct.  15.  Whereas  Mr.  Abraham  Cuyler  appeared 
here  in  Common  Council  and  made  application  to  us  for 
four  morgans  of  low  land  lying  and  being  in  the  Moquas 
country  on  the  west  end  of  a  large  Flatt  over  Tinnonde- 
rogo  creek  between  two  small  creeks  which  waters  into 
the  Moquas  river, 

It  is  Resolved  that  the  said  Cuyler  shall  have  the  same 
for  the  sum  of  two  pounds  current  money  to  be  paid  upon 
perfecting  a  Deed  for  the  same  and  an  acknowledgement 
to  this  city  yearly  and  every  year  two  skipple  for  every 


The  City  Records.  17 

morgan  which  is  to  commence  a  year  after  the  improve- 
ment of  the  same  or  any  part  thereof. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  that  in  case  the  sd  Cuyler 
or  his  assigns  be  hindred  in  their  improvement  by  a  warr 
with  the  French,  that  then  for  such  time  no  acknowledge- 
ment is  to  be  paid. 

It  is  Resolved  that  the  mayor  for  the  time  being  do 
execute  an  Indenture  for  the  same  in  behalf  of  ye  Com- 
monality. 

Resolved  that  the  clerk  do  give  to  Ryer  Gerritse  a  copy 
of  the  minutes  of  Common  Council  of  ye  year  1671  and 
ye  year  1697  consearning  the  lott  of  ground  which  Jan 
Verbeek  had  of  this  city  and  the  oath  of  the  said  Jan 
Verbeek  consearning  the  same. 

1731,  Oct.  14.  Hans  Hansen,  Esq.  mayor,  produced 
a  Commission  under  the  broad  Seal  of  this  Province  for 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Albany,  coroner  and  clark  of  the 
market  for  the  insueing  year  and  toke  the  oaths  appointed 
by  law  and  the  oaths  for  the  due  performance  of  the  sd 
offices. 

James  Stevenson  produced  a  Commission  under  the 
broad  Seal  of  this  Province  for  high  sheriff  of  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany  for  the  ensueing  year  and  toke  the 
oath  appointed  by  law  and  the  oath  for  the  due  perform- 
ance of  his  office. 

The  following  aldermen  and  assistants  are  sworn  for 
the  ensueing  year,  (viz.) 

First  Ward — Ryer  Gerritse,  Tobyas  Ryckman,  alder- 
men; Isaac  Lansing,  Johannis  Ostrander,  assistants. 

Second  Ward — Cornelius  Cuyler,  Johannis  Roseboom, 
Jun'r,  aldermen;  Joh's  J.  Beeckman,  Nicholas  Bleecker, 
Jun'r,  assistants. 

Third  Ward — Samuel  Pruyn,  Jacob  Lansingh,  alder- 
men; Gerrit  Lansing,  Jun'r,  Johannis  Visser,  Jun'r, 
assistants. 

1731,  Oct.  16.  Petrus  Ryckman  sworn  as  high  con- 
stable for  the  ensueing  year. 

Hendrick  Gerritse  sworn  for  ye  ensueing  year  as  con- 
stable for  the  third  ward  of  this  city. 

This  day  appeared  here  in  Common  Council  Johannis 


18  The  City  Records. 

Seger,  Andries  Bratt,  Johannis  Radliff  and  Jacobus  Rad- 
liff  and  desired  to  be  Bellemans  for  the  insueing  year, 
commencing  the  16th  instant  and  ending  the  16th  of  April 
next  ensueing,  to  go  round  every  night  two  and  two  to- 
gether and  to  call  every  hour  of  the  night  from  ten  a 
clock  to  four  in  the  morning,  and  to  call  at  all  the  useall 
places  of  the  city  what  a  clock  and  what  wheather  it  is, 
for  which  service  they  are  to  have  each  of  them  the  sum 
of  five  pounds  and  ten  shillings  curr1  money  and  each  of 
them  five  pounds  of  Candles,  and  they  are  to  enter  into 
bonds  for  the  performance  of  sd  service. 

It  is  also  ordered  that  Ragel  Radliff  shall  ring  the  bell 
at  the  hour  of  eight  a  clock  at  night. 

1731,  Nov.  6.  By  an  Ordinance  this  day  published, 
the  following  persons  are  appointed  firemasters  in  each 
respective  ward  as  follows  (viz.) 

First  Ward — Isaac  Fryer,  Eghbert  Eghbertse. 

Second  Ward — Matheys  Vander  Heyden,  Frans  Pruyn, 
Jun'r. 

Third  Ward — Wilhelmus  Van  Den  Bergh,  Matheys 
De  Garmo. 

1731,  December  22.  An  Ordinance  published  this 
day,  as  may  be  seen  in  folio  6  and  7  in  a  Book  of  ordi- 
nances kept  for  ye  purpose, 

It  is  Resolved  by  this  Common  Council  that  an  En- 
guin  or  Water  Spuyt  be  sent  for  to  England  per  the  first 
appertunity  in  the  Spring. 

173J,  February  22.  Whereas  there  was  a  Resolution 
made  in  Common  Council  the  1st  day  of  Feb.  172  g-  that 
the  mayor  should  execute  &  indenture  to  Abraham  and 
Isaac  Fortt  for  ten  morgan  of  upland  lying  at  Schaahkook 
which  is  as  yet  not  executed, 

Therefore  it  is  now  Resolved  that  the  mayor  shall 
execute  an  indenture  for  ten  morgan  of  upland  to  the 
above  named  Abraham  &  Isaac  Fort,  and  the  considera- 
tion to  be  mentioned  in  the  said  Indentures. 

A  Petition  of  Philip  Hansen  being  this  day  presented 
in  .Common  Council,  it  is  ordered  that  ye  same  petition 
be  taken  into  consideration  at  the  next  meeting. 


The  City  Records.  19 

This  day  an  ordinance  was  published  which  is  entered 
in  ye  book  of  ordinance  keept  to  that  purpose  &  y'1  oath 
of  Joh's  Hansen  likewise. 

173^,  Feb.  29.  Conformable  to  a  resolution  entered 
into  at  our  late  board  of  Councill  held  the  22d  day  of 
December  last,  it  being  then  agreed  to  write  for  and  en- 
gage a  water  Engine  and  for  the  better  extinguishment 
lire  which  accidentally  might  happen  as  has  hitherto 
been  to  the  great  damage  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city, 
Now  it  is  the  full  Resolution  of  this  board  that  a  Letter 
be  wrote  to  Mr.  Stephen  D.  Lancey,  merchant  at  New 
York,  to  request  him  to  engage  us  one  of  the  water  En- 
gines of  Richard  New%ham,  engineer,  of  the  fifth  sort, 
with  suction  and  six  foot  sucking  Pipe  with  a  leathern 
Pipe  of  40  foot  including  brass  Screws,  for  which  said 
water  Engine  when  delivered  at  New  York  to  us  or  our 
order  in  good  condition,  we  do  by  our  Letter  to  said 
D.  Lancey  premise  to  pay  him  or  his  order  at  the  same 
rate  that  the  Corporation  of  the  city  of  New  York  have 
paid  for  their  Engines,  (that  is  to  say)  at  the  rate  of  12 
per  cent  on  the  foot  of  the  Invoice  including  the  prime 
cost. 

173,-j,  March  11.  Whereas  there  was  a  Resolution  made 
in  Common  Council  the  8th  day  of  April  in  the  year 
1730,  that  the  then  mayor  should  execute  and  Indenture 
to  Volkert  Douw  for  a  piece  of  ground  in  the  Verfbergh, 
which  is  as  yet  not  executed, 

Therefore  it  is  now  Resolved  that  this  present  mayor 
shall  execute  the  said  Indenture  for  that  piece  of  ground 
above  named  to  the  aforesaid  Volkert  Douw  and  the  con- 
siderations to  be  mentioned  in  the  said  Indenture. 

1732,  April  8.  A  Petion  of  Abraham  Lansingh,  Jun. 
being  this  day  presented  unto  the  Common  Council, 

It  is  Resolved  that  the  same  sail  be  taken  into  concid- 
eration  at  a  more  convenient  oppertunity. 

This  day  sold  to  Jacobus  Hilton  the  lott  No.  4,  on  the 
Plain,  bounded  on  the  west  by  a  lott  now  beloning  to 
Richard  Hilton^  on  the  east  by  the  lott  No.  5,  now  be- 
loning to  Isaac  Fryer,  on  the  south  by  the  high  way  or 


20  The  City  Records. 

street,  being  broad  before  and  behind  28  feet,  and  in 
length  on  the  east  and  west  sides  98J  feet,  all  English 
measure,  for.  the  sum  of  £48;  one  third  of  which  sum  is 
to  be  ready  money,  one  third  to  be  paid  on  the  eight  day- 
of  April  next,  which  will  be  in  the  year  1733,  and  the 
other  third  on  the  eight  day  of  October,  which  will  also 
be  in  the  year  1733,  and  the  mayor  is  ordered  to  perfect 
a  Deed  to  the  said  Jacobus  Hilton  and  execute  the  same 
in  behalf  of  the  Corporation. 

Joh's  Seger  desires  of  this  Corporation  that  if  in  case 
there  should  be  any  ground  belonging  to  this  city  adjoyn- 
ing  in  the  rear  of  his  lott  on  the  east  hereafter  to  be 
sould,  that  he  may  have  the  refusal  of  it  with  payment, 
whic  hthe  Coporation  grants  accordingly. 

1732,  April  18.  This  Board  ordered  the  city  Treasurer 
to  pay  unto  James  Stenhouse  the  sum  of  nine  shillings 
for  entring  minutes  relating  a  water  Engine  and  writing  a 
Letter  to  Mr.  St:  Delancey  on  that  head.  Also  to  Klass  ' 
Fonda  the  sum  of  five  shillings  for  making  two  buckets 
to  the  well  in  the  first  ward. 

This  day  published  an  ordinance  to  the  same  purport 
with  an  ordinance  dated  the  19th  day  of  May,  1730,  re- 
corded in  the  1  &  2  folioes  of  the  book  of  ordinances, 
kep"  for  that  porpose. 

1732,  April  28.  This  day  Evert  Wendell  appeared 
before  this  Corporation  and  agreed  with  them  about  a 
certain  tract  of  Land  lying  to  the  south  of  the  city  and 
on  the  north  of  the  beaver  creek  in  the  following  manner 
viz: 

That  the  mayor  for  the  time  being,  in  behalf  of  the 
Corporation,  is  to  release  to  the  said  Wendell,  his  heirs 
and  assigns,  all  that  tract  of  Land  on  the  north  side  of 
the  beaver  creek  afores'1,  begining  at  the  beaver  creek 
and  running  northerly  till  it  takes  in  one  third  of  that 
tract  of  land  formerly  granted  to  Samuel  Babenton,  now 
beloning  to  Evert  Wendell,  at  the  same  distance  from  the 
fence  of  the  pasture  now  beloning  to  Hendrick  Hallen- 
beeck  as  the  place  where  Samuel  Babenton's  house  used 
to  stand  is  distance  from  said  fence,  and  so  running  up 


The  City  Records.  21 

westerly  with  a  stratc  line  till  it  comes  opposite  to  the 
foot  of  the  great  fall  of  the  beaver's  creek,  and  then 
southerly  till  it  comes  to  the  foot 'of  the  fall  aforesd, 
keeping  the  same  brdth  on  the  west  as  on  the  east. 

In  concideration  of  which  the  said  Wendell  is  to  pay 
£3  in  current  money  of  this  province  and  also  to  release 
to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonality,  their  success- 
ors and  assigns  the  remaining  two  thirds  of  that  tract  of 
Land  formerly  beloning  to  Samuel  Babenton  now  be- 
loning  the  said  Evert  Wendell  as  afores(1,  all  at  the  said 
Wendell's  charges. 

1732,  May  18.  The  Commonality  have  this  day  sold 
the  wheat  which  Bareut  Brat,  their  chamberlain,  has  re- 
ceived in  their  behalf  for  the  Rents  of  the  Lands  at 
Schaakhook  being  by  computation  four  hundred  and  fifty 
Skeples,  unto  Mr.  Tobyas  Rykman,  at  two  shillings  and 
four  pence  half  penny  per  Skeple,  payable  in  September 
next. 

1732,  June  1.  This  day  sold  unto  William  Waldron  a 
spott  of  ground  situate  lying  and  being  on  the  Plain, 
partly  bounded  on  the  east  side  of  the  lott  of  the  said 
William  Waldron,  and  on  the  north  the  Dutch  burying 
Place,  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  lott  of  Gerrit  Van 
Sante,  on  the  south  by  the.Commons,  containing  in  length 
from  the  south  to  the  north  of  the  burying  place  about 
forty  foot,  and  bredth  about  sixteen  foot  along  the  s(I 
burying  place,  be  the  same  more  or  less,  and  on  the  south 
end  thereof  about  ten  foot. 

For  which  the  said  Wm.  Waldron  is  to  pay  eight 
Pounds  our  currency  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  June 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  thirty  and  three  and  to  give 
a  bond  for  the  same,  and  that  the  mayor  execute  a  con- 
veyance to  the  said  Waldron  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation 
for  which  he  must  pay  the  charges  of  the  writeings  and 
the  measuring  of  the  same. 

Sold  likewise  to  Gerrit  I.  Lansingh  a  lott  of  Ground 
situate  lying  and  being  on  the  Plain,  bounded  on  the 
west  by  a  lott  now  in  the  possession  of  Wm.  Waldron, 
on  the  east  and  southe  by  the  highway,  on  the  north  by 

[Annals,  x.]  3 


22  The  City  Records. 

a  part  of  the  lott  of  Gerrit  Van  Sante  and  partly  by  a 
spott  of  ground  this  day  granted  to  Wm.  WaJdron,  con- 
taining about  sixty  foot  square,  be  the  same  more  or 
less,  for  which  the  sd  Gerrit  I.  Lansingh  is  to  pay  the 
sum  of  fifty-five  Pounds  current  money  of  New  York,  at 
the  following  payments,  (viz1):  One  third  part  at  the 
executing  of  a  Release,  which  is  to  be  done  by  the  mayor 
in  behalf  of  the  Corporation,  and  one  third  more  twelve 
months  after  this  date,  and  the  last  third  part  in  six 
months  from  that  date,  so  that  the  whole  must  be  paid 
within  the  space  of  eighteen  months  from  the  date  hereof, 
and  he  to  pay  the  charges  of  the  writeings  and  measureing 
and  to  give  bonds  for  the  two  severall  sums  of  money 
last  above  mentioned. 

Att  a  Privet  meeting  held  this  third  day  of  June,  1732. 
Whereas  the  worshippfull  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen 
and  Assistants  of  the  city  of  Albany,  convened  in  Common 
Councill,  did  on  the  18th  day  of  April  last  ordained, 
ordered  &  directed  by  their  said  Ordinance  that  all  and 
every  the  Citizens,  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  that  live 
in  the  respective  streets,  lanes  and  alleys  of  this  city 
should  from  and  after  the  publication  of  said  Ordinance, 
or  at  such  time  and  times  and  in  such  maner  and  form 
and  according  to  such  demensions,  quantitys  and  pro- 
portions as  should  from  time  to  time  be  unto  them  re- 
spectively directed  and  appointed  by  the  mayor,  recorder 
or  the  aldermen  of  each  respective  ward  (at  the  charge 
of  the  Landlord)  well  and  sufficiently  pave  or  cause  to 
be  paved  their  and  each  of  their  Tenements  as  by  the 
said  ordinance  was  more  at  large  sett  forth.  And  whereas 
severall  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  city  have  neglected  to 
perform  and  comply  with  the  clauses  therein  sett  forth 
for  the  paveing  and  repairing  the  said  streets,  lanes  and 
alleys  to  the  great  detriment  of  this  city  and  contrary  to 
the  tenure  and  purport  of  the  same.  Now  it  is  conclud- 
ed, ordered  and  directed  by  the  worshipfull  Mayor,  Re- 
corder, Cornelius  Cuyler  and  Johannis  Roseboom  Jun'r, 
Esqrs.,  aldermen,  that  the  severall  Inhabitants  whose 
names  are  hereunder  mentioned  neglecting  as  aforesaid. 


The  City  Records.  23 

shall  be  served  with  a  copy  of  the  following  order.  For 
the  hetter  paveing  and  repairing  the  said  streets,  lanes 
and  alleys  unto  them  respectively  belonging  (which  fol- 
lows) in  hoc  verba. 

You  are  hereby  ordered  &  directed  that  you  and  each 
of  you  do  forthwith  agreeable  to  the  purport  and  true 
meaning  of  our  ordinance  heretofore  published  on  this 
head,  pave  or  cause  to  be  paved  with  good  and  sufficient 
stones,  suitable  thereto,  the  street  or  streets  fronting 
your  severall  dwelling  houses  and  lotts  or  present  houses 
of  residence,  that  is  to  say :  That  you,  Abraham  Wittbeck, 
Harpert  Jacobse,  Bastiaan  Visger,  and  Elbert  Gerritse, 
You  and  each  of  you  ,do  on  or  before  the  first  day  of 
August  next  pave  or  cause  to  be  paved  before  your  re- 
spective houses  and  lotts  the  bredth  thereof  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  street  with  good  and  sufficient  stones  with  a 
convenient  desent  for  the  water  to  empty  itself  towards 
the  River.  And  that  you  Abraham  Lansingh,  Jun'r,  do 
pave  in  like  manner  from  the  east  to  the  west  corner  of 
your  lott  to  the  middle  of  the  street  and  also  to  the  rear 
of  the  said  lott  to  the  middle  of  the  street  opposite  to  the 
lott  of  TeunisSlingerlant:  And  that  you  Teunis  Slinger- 
lant  do  pave  from  the  south  corner  of  your  lott  so  farr 
as  the  same  extends  adjoyning  David  De  Foreest  round 
to  the  west  corner  in  both  streets  to  the  middle  of  the 
same.  And  you  Daniell  Huson  to  pave  from  the  west 
corner  of  said  Teunis  Slingerlant's  lott  till  you  come  oppo- 
site the  west  corner  of  Elbert  Gerritses  lott  to  the  middle 
of  the  street.  And  you  Geertruy  Van  Scherluynse,  widow, 
to  pave  from  the  lott  of  Elbert  Gerritses,  westward  along 
your  lott  and  houses  so  farr  as  the  west  corner  of  the 
house  where  Johannis  Wyngaert  now  lives  not  less  than 
eight  foot,  all  which  pavements  you  and  each  of  you,  the 
Persons  aforesaid  are  to  compleat  and  finish  as  before 
described  on  or  before  the  afore  limitted  time,  as  you 
will  answer  your  contempt  to  the  contrary.  Dated  in 
Albany  the  third  June,  Ao:  Do:  1732. 

1732,  June  20.  This  day  Abraham  Vosburgh  brought 
in  a  Petition  to  this  Corporation  in  order  to  purchase  a 


24  The  City  Records. 

lott  of  Ground  belonging  to  the  city  within  the  city  limits. 
It  is  Resolved  that  it  shall  be  taken  into  consideration 
at  a  more  convenient  opportunity. 

On  the  eight  day  of  April  last  Abraham  Lansingh  Jun. 
presented  a  Petition  to  the  Comonality,  setting  forth 
that  the  Petitioner  desired  to  purchase  a  small  triangle 
very  commodious  for  him  adjoining  to  the  north  side  of 
his  lott,  in  the  third  ward,  upon  which  Petition  it  is  Re- 
solved to  grant  unto  the  Petitioner  the  small  triangle 
afores1,  adjoining  to  his  lott.  The  perpendicular  of 
which  as  it  fall  upon  the  base  about  forty-two  feet  from 
the  front  of  sd  lott  beginning  at  the  north  east  corner  is 
in  length  one  foot  and  eight  inches,  and  so  running  from 
the  top  or  north  end  of  the  perpendicular  to  the  north 
west  corner  of  his  lott  to  a  Punct.  For  which  he  is  to 
pay  into  the  Commonality  for  the  use  of  the  city  the  sum 
of  one  Pound  ten  shillings  current  money  of  the  Colony 
of  New  York.  Ordered  that  the  mayor  for  the  time  be- 
ing do  execute  a  Deed  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation,  the 
Petitioner  paying  charges  of  writing. 

On  the  22d  day  of  February  last  past,  Philip  Hansen 
presented  a  Petition  to  the  Comonality  setting  forth 
that  the  Petitioner  humbly  prayed  to  purchase  a  lott  of 
ground  belonging  to  the  city,  lying  in  the  Foxes  creek. 
Upon  which  Petition  it  is  Resolved  that  the  said  Hansen 
should  have  live  Rodds  in  length  North  and  South  and 
five  Rod  in  bredth  East  and  West,  all  Ryland  measure, 
Bounded  on  the  East  by  a  lott  of  Rutgert  Bleecker,  on 
the  north  along  the  foxes  Creek,  on  the  south  by  the 
Commons  and  on  the  west  by  the  Commons  for  the  sum 
of  seven  pounds  current  money  of  New  York,  payable 
pmo  May  next:  he  paying  charges  of  writing.  Resolved 
that  the  mayor  for  the  time  being  shall  (and  who  is  im- 
powered  hereby  to)  execute  a  Deed  in  behalf  of  the  Cor- 
poration. 

1732,  August  12.  The  following  letter  was  sent  to  his 
Excellency: 

We  the  Mayor,  Recorder  and  Commonality  of  the  city 
of  Albany  haveing  heard  of  your  Excellencyes  safe  arri- 


The  City  Records.  25 

veil  do  with  the  greatest  alacrity  congratulate  the  same, 
and  hope  that  your  Ex'ly  may  be  received  in  the  Publick 
Station  in  which  his  sacred  Majestie  has  been  pleased  to 
place  you  as  Chief  of  this  Government  with  tranquility 
and   unanimity,  which  we  hope   may  be   attended  with 
health  and  happiness  is  the   sincere  wishes  of  who  are 
with  a  perfect  Difference  due  Regard  and  Esteem, 
Your  Ex'ly  most  Obedient  humble 
Servants.         Was  signed  as  above. 

1732,  August  16.  Sould  untoPetrus  Douw  the  use  of 
half  of  the  Creek  by  which  his  lott  in  the  first  ward  is 
bound  nigh  the  Dutch  church,  for  him,  his  heirs  and 
assigns  for  ever,  that  is»to  say  not  lower  than  six  foot 
above  low  water  mark  to  build  upon,  but  to  leave  a  free 
passage  for  the  course  of  the  water  and  nor  to  stop  up 
the  same,  in  consideration  of  which  he  is  to  pay  the  sum 
of  two  pounds  current  money  of  the  Colony  of  New  York. 

Albany,  the  25th  Aug'  1732. 
May  it  please  your  Ex'ly, 

We  think  it  our  duty  to  acquaint  your  Ex'ly  of  a 
Surprizeing  accident  that  happend  in  his  Majesty's  Fort 
here  on  Tuesday  the  22d  Instant,  between  the  hours  of 
Eight  and  nine  of  the  Clock  at  night.  That  by  a  Train 
of  Powder  or  some  other  Villainous  means  some  of  the 
Bumbs  and  a  great  many  of  the  Granados  in  the  Store, 
were  sett  fire  to  which  went  off  in  such  a  Sudden  and 
Surprizeing  manner  that  put  this  city  in  a  great  Con- 
sternation for  that  Time;  but  upon  Immediate  Enquiry 
into  this  affair  by  us,  the  Mayor,  Recorder  and  Alder- 
men of  this  city;  It  appeared  that  a  Negro  man  belonging 
to  Captin  Henry  Holland  was  found  Lying  close  to  the 
Powder  house  (when  this  accident  happened)  Very  much 
burnt  in  his  face  and  other  Parts  of  his  body,  and  who  is 
strongly  supposed  to  have  committed  the  aforesaid  Vil- 
lainy, we  have  strictly  Examined  into  this  affair  but 
there  is  as  yet  no  Positive  proof  against  the  Negro;  the 
little  Hutt  called  the  Magazine  was  consumed  with  what 
Powder  there  was  in  it  by  this  Villainous  Action. 


26  The  City  Records. 

Sir:  We  Live  here  in  a  Country  where  we  are  Daily 
in  Dread  of  our  Neighbouring  Enemies  the  French  at 
Canada  and  what  is  worse  are  in  no  posture  of  Defence 
either  in  city  or  county  to  receive  them  in  case  they  at- 
tacked us,  and  while  his  Majesty  ever  since  the  first 
Establishment  of  his  Subjects  here  has  been  Gratiously 
pleased  to  give  us  such  a  number  of  Soldiers  under  pay 
as  he  in  his  great  wisdom  thought  sufficient  for  the  better 
Preservation  of  our  lives  and  Fortunes,  and  it  is  too  ap- 
parently known  that  upon  Inspection  into  the  Garrison 
it  will  seldom  be  found  that  there  is  above  twenty  or  five 
and  twenty  men  and  sometimes  not  so  many  and  those 
Invalid  old  men  fitt  rather  to  be  put  in  an  Hospitall  then 
to  Mount  a  Guard  while  the  lusty  young  men  are  tolerated 
to  work  abroad  in  the  Country,  which  we  think  is  not  only 
an  abuse  done  to  his  Majesties  most  Gracious  Intentions 
but  a  hardship  on  us  and  the  rest  of  his  Subjects  here. 

We  must  allow  that  Captain  Holland  has  been  an 
officer  sufficiently  qualified  to  Command  this  Garrison 
till  within  these  few  last  years  he  (by  the  Providence  of 
Almighty  God),  is  renderd  incapable  to  Command  the 
same,  and  it  is  with  much  concern  for  the  Publick  Good 
as  well  as  for  him  that  we  are  obliged  to  express  it. 
Who  are,  may  it  Please  your  Ex'ly, 

with  much  Esteem  and  respect 
Your  Ex'ly  most  ob't  &  most  humble  Serv'ts. 
Was  signed    by  the   Mayor,    Recorder  and  Aldermen 
alone. 

1732,  Sept.  2.  This  day  the  Comonalityhaveing  agreed 
with  Johannis  Seger  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  shillings  per 
month  to  attend  the  Constable's  watch,  yl  is  to  say,  to 
make  fire  every  night  in  the  Evening  before  the  said 
watch  begins  and  to  cutt  through  all  the  wood  and  keep 
clean  the  places  appointed  to  watch  and  also  to  warn 
the  People  to  come  and  watch. 

1732,  Sept.  12.  Whereas  by  a  Resolution  of  Common 
Councill  made  the  14th  October  1731,  it  was  then  upon 
request  of  Mr.  Abraham  Cuyler  granted  and  agreed  that 
the  said  Abraham  Cuyler  should  have  four  morgan  of 


The  City  Records.  27 

low  land  lying  and  being  in  the  Mohawks  country  agree- 
able to  said  Cuyler's  application,  for  which  he  was  to 
pay  the  sum  of  two  Pounds  current  money  of  the  Colony 
of  New  York  as  likewise  an  acknowledgement  to  this 
city  of  two  Skeple  of  merchantable  good  winter  Wheat 
yearly  and  every  year  for  ever,  to  commence  a  year  after 
the  improvement  of  the  same,  for  which  land  aforesaid 
the  then  mayor  of  this  city  should  execute  in  behalf  of 
the  city  a  release  of  the  same  to  the  said  Abraham  Cuy- 
ler  upon  executing  of  which  the  said  Cuyler  was  to  pay 
the  aforesaid  consideration  of  two  Pounds.  Now  it  is 
further  Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  aforesd  Resolu- 
tion shall  remain  arid  abide  in  such  force  and  value  to  all 
intents  and  purposes  whatsoever  as  the  same  was  then 
enterd  on  the  records,  and  that  Hans  Hansen,  Esqr., 
present  mayor  of  this  city,  shall  execute  a  Deed  of  re- 
lease of  the  aforesd  land  to  the  said  Abraham  Cuyler  in 
behalf  of  the  Commonality,  the  said  Cuyler  upon  receipt 
thereof  paying  the  aforesd  sum  of  two  Pounds  current 
money  aforesaid  and  the  charges  accruing  on  said  writ- 
ings, all  ways  to  be  understood  that  in  case  the  said  Cuy- 
ler or  his  assigns  be  at  any  time  hereafter  hinderd  in 
their  improvement  of  the  aforesaid  land  by  any  warr 
which  may  interpose  between  us  and  the  French,  then 
for  such  time  no  acknowledgem1  to  be  paid  for  the  same. 

1732,  Sept.  26.  This  day  a  Petition  of  John  Burton 
was  offered  to  the  worshipfull  Mayor,  Recorder,  Alder- 
men and  Commonality,  which  Petition  it  is  Resolved 
shall  be  taken  into  further  consideration  at  their  next 
meeting. 

Isaac  Fryer,  Jan  Van  Alstyne.  Gerrit  Bratt  and  Jacobus 
Radliff  this  day  petitioned  in  behalf  of  themselves  and 
their  neighbours  to  have  liberty  to  digg  a  well  neer  their 
dwelling  places  and  that  the  Commonality  would  contri- 
bute some  money  towards  the  same,  which  priviledge 
was  allowed  them  as  also  ten  pounds  in  money  if  they 
finished  said  well  this  fall. 

This  day  an  advertizement  was  sett  up  desiring  all 
persons  that  have  any  just  demands  from  the  Common- 


28  The  City  Records. 

ality  to  bring  in  their  accounts  to  Barent  Bratt,  their 
chamberlain,  between  this  and  the  7th  of  October  next, 
which  after  being  examined  and  found  right  shall  be  sat- 
isfied accordingly. 

1732,  Sept.  29.  In  persuance  of  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany  two  aldermen,  two  assist- 
ants and  one  constable  being  chosen  this  day  in  each 
respective  ward  of  sd  city  by  plurality  of  voths  by  the 
inhabitants  of  each  respective  ward  who  have  rite  to 
chuse,  and  return  being  made  who  are  as  follows: 
Aldermen.  Assistants. 

First  Ward. 

Ryer  Gerritse,  Joh's  Ostrande, 

Edward  Holland.  Matt's  Flensburgh. 

Robert  Lansingh,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Cornelius  Cuyler,  David  Groesbeek, 

Joh's  E,  Wendell.  Gulyn  Verplanck. 

Dirrick  De  Garmoy,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Isaac  Fonda,  Ahasueros  Roseboom, 

Gose  Van  Schayck.  Joh's  Van  Den  Bergh. 

Dowe  Isa:  Fonda,  Constable. 

Barent  Bratt  chosen  and  appointed  Citty  Chamberlain 
or  Treasurer  for  the  year  ensueing. 

Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck  appointed  high  Constable  for  the 
iusueing  year. 

173?,  Oct.  14.  This  day  Ryer  Gerritse,  Edward  Hol- 
land, Isaac  Fonda  and  Johannis  E.  Wendell  did  take  the 
oaths  appointed  by  law  to  be  taken  instead  of  the  oaths 
of  suppremacy  and  allegiance  and  did  sign  the  test,  then 
were  sworn  as  aldermen  for  the  year  ensueing.  Johannis 
Ostrande,  Matthews  Flansburgh,  Ahasuerus  Roseboom 
and  Johannis  Van  Denbergh  did  take  the  oaths  appointed 
by  law,  and  were  sworn  as  assistants  for  the  ensueing 
year.  Robert  Lansingh  did  take  the  oaths  appointed  by 
law  and  was  sworn  as  constable  for  the  year  ensueing. 

Gose  Van  Schayck   did  take  the  oaths  appointed  by 


The  City  Records.  29 

law  to  be  taken  in  stead  of  the  oaths  of  supremacy  and 
allegiance  and  did  sign  the  Test  as  also  the  oath  as 
alderman  for  the  ensueing  year  on  the  16th  of  October, 
1732. 

1732,  Oct.  23.  The  Commission  of  William  Cosby, 
Esq.  &c.  appointing  John  De  Peyster,  Esq.  mayor,  clerk 
of  the  market  and  coroner  in  and  for  this  city  and  county 
was  produced  and  read  at  this  meeting  and  said  John  De 
Peyster  took  and  subscribed  the  oaths  of  allegiance  &c. 
as'likewise  the  oath  qualifying  him  in  his  office  of  mayor 
&c.  aforesaid. 

John  Lindsey  Esq.  produced  his  Ex'ly  Wm.  Cosby,  Esq. 
etc.  his  Commission  appointing  him  thereby  High  Sheriff 
of  this  city  and  county,  which  said  Commission  was  read, 
but  while  said  Lindsey  produced  a  certificate  from  his 
said  Ex'ly  in  Councill  that  he  took  and  subscribed  the 
oaths  of  allegiance  &c.  at  New  York  the  19th  instant,  as 
likewise  the  oath  qualifying  him  for  said  office,  yet  the 
Charter  of  this  city  requiring  that  the  sheriff  appointed 
shall  take  the  oath  of  his  office  here,  the  said  John  Lind- 
sey took  and  swore  the  same  at  this  meeting. 

1732,  December  2.  This  board  do  appoint  Gerrit 
Van  Benthuysen  and  Isaac  States  to  execute  the  office  of 
Fire  masters  for  the  first  ward  of  this  city,  Hendrick  van 
Deusen  and  Gerrit  Marcelis  for  the  second  ward,  Johan- 
nis  A.  Cuyler  and  Harme  van  Veghten  for  the  third 
ward.  It  is  ordered  that  warrents  shall  be  issued  out  for 
the  Fire  masters  of  each  particular  ward.  Dowe  J. 
Fonda  was  sworn  as  constable  for  this  city  for  the  year 
ensueing.  The  following  ordinances  were  published:  An 
ordinance  for  the  observation  of  the  Lord's  Day,  as  the 
same  is  recorded  verbatim  in  the  Book  of  ordinances 
pages  11  and  12.  An  ordinance  for  establishing  and 
better  ordering  the  night  watches  in  the  city  of  Albany. 
An  ordinance  for  tavern  keepers.  An  ordinance  for  the 
better  preventing  of  fire.  An  ordinance  for  the  .regulat- 
ing of  the  officers.  An  ordinance  about  rideing. 

Gullyn  Ver  Planck  was  sworn  as  assistant  for  the 
second  ward. 


30  The  City  Records. 

1732,  Dec.  4.  This  day  a  list  was  made  according  to 
an  ordinance  published  on  the  2d  instant,  entitled  an 
ordinance  for  establishing  and  better  ordering  the  night 
watches  in  the  city  of  Albany. 

1732,  Dec.  26.  Whereas  Jacob  Cl  Ten  Eyck  was  on 
the  29th  of  September  last  appointed  high  constable  of 
this  city,  since  which  his  Excellency  has  been  gratiously 
pleased  to  appoint  him  one  of  his  majesties  Justices  of 
the  Peace  by  which  commission  he  is  not  obliged  to  serve 
as  high  constable,  this  board  doth  therefore  appoint 
Dirck  De  Garmoy  one  of  the  .petty  constables  in  the  2d 
ward  of  this  city  to  be  high  constable  in  the  place  of  the 
said  Jabob  Cl  Ten  Eyck,  and  the  inhabitants  of  s !  ward 
are  hereby  ordered  and  required  to  chuse  a  petty  con- 
stable in  the  room  of  the  sd  Dirck  De  Garmoy  on  the 
27th  of  this  instant,  December,  and  that  return  thereof 
be  made  accordingly.  Mr.  Richard  Williams  was  voted 
by  this  board  to  be  a  freeman  of  this  city  and  the  mayor 
required  to  give  his  license  accordingly.  Johannis  Wyn- 
gaert  delivered  in  his  account  for  wood  for  the  watch 
amounting  to  thirty-four  shillings  and  ten  pence  half 
penny.  Gerrit  Van  Benthuysen  delivered  in  his  account 
for  ditto  amounting  to  ten  shillings,  which  were  allowed 
and  ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  the  same.  The 
Treasurer  is  likewise  ordered  to  pay  unto  Johannis  Se- 
ger  thirty  shillings  in  part  of  his  Salery. 

173J,  January  4.  Johannis  Knickerbacker  desired  of 
this  board  that  he  might  have  the  priveledge  of  the  land 
that  belongs  to  this  city  which  is  bounded  by  the  west  of 
his  land  of  the  same  breadth  as  his  land  is,  and  so  run- 
ning westerly  to  the  bridge  or  top  of  the  hill  for  himself, 
his  heirs  and  assigns,  which  was  granted  him  on  condi- 
tion that  he  or  they  do  pay  yearly  or  every  year  for  ever 
one  skiple  of  good  merchantable  winter  wheat  to  this 
city  which  is  to  begin  in  January  or  February  1735. 
Resolved  that  the  mayor  for  the  time  being  shall  execute 
a  Lease  for  the  time  being  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation. 

173J,  March  10.  Ordered  by  this  board  that  an  order 
be  issued  to  Barent  Bratt,  chamberlain,  that  he  pay  unto 


The  City  Records.  31 

Johannis  Seger,  Andries  Bratt  and  Jacobus  Redliff,  late 
bellmen  of  this  city,  appointed  by  Common  Councill  for 
one  year  to  commence  the  16th  October  1731  and  end 
the  16th  October  1732,  to  each  and  every  of  them  the 
sum  of  eleven  pounds  seven  shillings  and  six  pence  for 
said  service,  including  candles  furnished  by  them  and 
their  receipts  shall  be  said  Barent  Bratt's  sufficient  dis- 
charge. Ordered  likewise  that  said  Barent  Bratt  pay 
unto  Matthew  Flensburgh  the  sum  of  one  pound  sixteen 
shillings  for  work  done  on  the  Goal  and  one  of  the  Block 
houses  of  this  city  &c.  as  per  his  account. 

Ordered  that  the  mayor  sign  the  aforesaid  order  in 
behalf  of  the  Commonality. 

Jonathan  Brooks  and  Lambert  Redliff  preferred  a  Pe- 
tition to  this  baard  praying  to  purchase  some  vacant 
ground  belonging  to  this  city  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the 
brick  yard  now  in  the  tenure  of  Luycas  Hooghkirck. 
Resolved  therefore  that  the  same  be  taken  in  considera- 
tion at  our  next  meeting. 

This  day  published  an  ordinance  prohibiting  the  range- 
ing  of  hoggs.  Ordered  that  the  same  be  recorded  in  the 
book  of  ordinances. 

173^,  March  13.  This  day  Johannis  Ouderkerck 
made  application  to  this  board  to  have  free  liberty  to 
build  a  saw  mill  on  a  fall  of  a  creek  that  divides  Saragh- 
togue  from  Schachook,  comonly  called  by  the  name  of 
Lewises  creek  about  a  mile  from  Hudson's  river  and  four 
morgan  of  land  near  said  mill  for  the  use  of  the  same,  as 
also  liberty  to  cutt  loggs  and  timber  in  the  bounds  of 
Schachook  and  the  lands  belonging  to  this  city  for  the 
use  of  the  said  mill,  which  was  granted  him  for  the  term 
and  upon  the  conditions  hereafter  mentioned,  that  is  to 
say,  that  the  said  Ouderkerck  is  to  use,  occupy  and  en- 
joy the  said  creek  and  premises  above  mentioned  as  long 
as  he,  his  heirs  or  assigns  encline  to  make  use  of  the 
same  or  deliver  the  possession  of  the  mill  and  premises 
(except  the  iron  work  belonging  to  the  said  mill)  to  this 
Corporation  for  the  time  being,  he,  his  heirs  or  assigns 
paying  yearly  and  every  year  dureiug  the  said  time  that 


32  The  City  Records. 

he  uses  the  same  or  delivers  up  the  possession  as  afore- 
said, the  first  payment  beginning  on  the  first  day  of 
May  which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1735,  the 
sum  of  live  pounds  current  money  of  the  Colony  of  New- 
York  to  the  treasurer  of  this  city  for  the  use  of  the  same, 
provided  he  does  not  cutt  nor  saw  more  than  300  loggs 
yearly  and  every  in  said  bounds,  that  is  one  year  with 
another.  Likewise  if  at  any  time  hereafter  there  should 
happen  a  war  to  break  out  with  our  neighbors  the  Frence 
or  Indians  so  that  said  Ouderkerck  should  be  molested 
in  his  possession  of  the  premises,  then  dureingsuch  war 
and  molestation  the  said  Ouderkerck  shall  pay  no  ac- 
knowledgement for  the  same. 

Likewise  sold  to  the  said  Johannis  Ouderkerck  two 
morgan  of  land  lying  and  being  at  Schachook  on  the  north 
side  of  Schachook  creek  on  both  sides  of  a  small  creek 
that  comes  from  Hudson's  river  and  runs  in  said  Schac- 
hook creek  about  one  thousand  yards  south  of  his  house,  he 
paying  thirty  shillings  for  the  same,  and  yearly  and  every 
year  for  ever  two  skiple  good  merchantable  winter  wheat 
to  this  city  for  the  quit  of  the  same,  commencing  in  the 
months  of  January  or  February  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  thirty  four  and  five.  Re- 
solved that  the  mayor  for  the  time  being  shall  execute  a 
deed  for  the  same  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation. 

1733,  March  17.  Ordered  by  this  board  that  Barent 
Bratt  who  was  appointed  chamberlain  or  treasurer  of 
this  city  on  the  29th  September  last  shall  enter  into 
bonds  with  good  security  for  the  due  performance  of  said 
office  (and  take  the  oaths  to  qualify  him  for  the  same). 
The  condition  of  which  bond  shall  be  as  follows: 

Whereas  the  above  bounden  Barent  Bratt  was  ap- 
pointed and  elected  into  the  office  and  place  of  chamberlain 
or  Treasurer  of  the  city  of  Albany  lor  the  year  ensuing, 
Now  the  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such,  that  if  the 
said  Barent  Bratt  shall  and  do  well,  faithfully  and  truly 
perform  and  execute  and  do  all  things  whatsoever  which 
any  ways  touch  or  concern  his  said  office,  and  well  and 
faithfully  in  all  things  behave  himself  in  the  execution  of 


The  City  Records.  33 

said  office  of  chamberlain  or  treasurer  of  the  said  city  of 
Albany,  and  shall  in  due  order  and  method  in  proper 
books  for  that  purpose,  keep  a  true,  exact  and  just  ac- 
count of  the  several  branches  of  the  revenue,  rents  and 
incomes  of  the  said  Corporation,  and  in  the  like  orderly 
manner  discharge  the  same  by  due  and  orderly  payments, 
and  also  shall  and  do  every  three  months,  or  oftner  (if  it 
shall  be  thereunto  requested)  render  to  the  said  mayor, 
aldermen  and  commonality,  their  successors  and  assigns, 
a  true  and  just  account  of  all  his  receipts  and  payments, 
regularly  stated  in  such  proper  books  for  that  purpose, 
and  shall  and  do  observe  all  such  orders,  rules  and  direc- 
tions in  the  making  of  his  payments  as  he  from  time  to 
time  shall  receive  from  the  Common  Council  of  the  said 
city.  And  also  if  the  said  Barent  Bratt,  his  executors 
and  administrators  shall  and  do  within  the  space  and 
time  of  fourteen  days  next  after  the  determination  or  end 
of  his  said  office  as  Chamberlain  or  Treasurer  as  afore- 
said be  it  by  death  of  the  said  Barent  Bratt  or  otherwise, 
well  and  truly  render  a  true  and  just  account,  fairly 
entered  in  books  for  that  purpose  as  aforesaid,  of  all  his 
receipts  and  payments,  unto  the  said  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonality  of  the  said  city,  their  successors  and 
assigns,  and  well  and  truly  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  unto 
the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonality  of  the  said 
city  their  successors  and  assigns,  all  such  sum  and  sums 
of  money  as  shall  be  then  in  his  or  their  hands,  or  which 
he  or  they  shall,  upon  such  accompt  be  found  to  be  in 
arrear,  and  also  shall  and  do,  upon  a  sufficient  discharge 
in  law,  to  him  to  be  given  by  the  said  mayor,  aldermen 
and  commonality,  and  their  successors,  within  the  time 
aforesaid,  well  and  truly  surrender  and  deliver  up  to  the 
said  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonality,  their  successors 
and  assigns,  all  and  singular  the  books  of  accompts  be- 
longing to  the  said  office,  with  all  warrants,  vouchers 
and  memorandums  belonging  to  the  same,  and  also  all 
and  singular  bills,  bonds,  specialties,  leases,  grants, 
deeds,  charters,  letters  pattent,  and  all  other  papers  and 
[Annals,  x.]  4 


34  The  City  Records. 

writings  whatsoever  in  anywise  belonging  to  the  said 
Corporation,  without  any  concealment,  imbezelment  or 
fraud,  that  then  this  obligation  to  be  void,  otherwise  to 
be  and  remain  in  full  force  and  virtue. 

This  day  was  published  a  law,  entitled  a  law  for  regu- 
lating and  establishing  fees  for  the  inviters  to  funerals, 
which  was  ordered  to  be  entered  in  the  book  of  ordi- 
nances. 

This  day  granted  unto  Lambert  Radley  and  Jonathan 
Broecks  one  acre  of  ground  upon  the  gallows  hill  lying 
near  a  small  run  of  water  to  the  north  of  the  road  for 
the  term  of  twenty  years,  provided  they  or  either  of  them 
pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  to  this  Corporation  the  sum  of 
twenty  shillings  yearly,  the  first  payment  to  be  made  the 
first  day  of  May,  1734,  together  with  the  previledge  of 
the  creek  or  run  afores*3,  with  the  clay  in  or  near  the 
same  fitt  to  make  brick  to  the  west  of  Luykas  Hoghkerks 
brick  kill;  and  if  in  case  there  should  a  war  happen  to 
break  out  dureing  said  term  of  years  so  that  they  should 
be  molested  in  the  possession  of  the  same,  then  dureing 
such  time  of  hinderance  or  molestation  they  shall  pay 
no  acknowledgement  for  the  same.  Resolved  that  the 
mayor  for  the  time  being  shall  execute  a  lease  for  the 
same  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation. 

1733,  May  5.  This  day  published  an  ordinance  enti- 
tled a  law  for  marking  of  bread  and  one  entitled  a  law 
for  paving  the  streets,  lanes  and  alleys  within  ihe  city  of 
Albany,  both  recorded  in  the  book  of  ordinances  folios 
24  and  25,  The  Treasurer  was  ordered  to  deliver  unto 
Jacobus  Hilton  his  Bond,  he  paying  the  Principle. 

1733,  May  26.  This  day  granted  and  sould.unto  Jo- 
hannis  Groesbeek  one  acre  of  ground  scituate,  lying  and 
being  at  Schaahkook  in  the  county  of  Albany,  of  the  land 
belonging  to  this  city,  over  the  road  opposite  to  the  house 
of  the  sd  Joh's  Groesbeek  where  now  his  barn  stands, 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  ridge  of  the  hill,  on  the  west 
by  the  sd  road,  on  the  south  by  the  land  now  belonging 
to  Joh's  and  Adriaan  Quackenbos  Junr.  sons  of  Adriaan 
Quackenbos,  and  easterly  so  far  'till  it  takes  in  one  acre 


The  City  Records.  35 

of  ground,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  the  sum  of  fifty  shil- 
lings, and  one  shilling  yearly  and  every  year  forever  to 
the  Treasurer  of  this  city  for  the  use  of  this  corporation, 
and  he  is  to  pay  for  the  writings  according  to  agreement. 
Resolved  that  the  mayor  for  the  time  being  shall  execute 
an  Indenture  for  the  same  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation. 

1733,  June  4.  It  is  Resolved  in  Common  Council  that 
if  any  of  the  members  of  the  said  Council  being  legally 
warned  to  appear  in  council,  and  do  not  come  within  half 
an  hour  after  ringing  of  the  bell  to  conveen  without  a 
reasonable  excuse  that  he  or  they  so  omitting  or  delay- 
ing to  come  within  half  an  hour  as  aforesd,  shall  forfiet 
for  each  omission  or  delay  the  sum  of  one  shilling  for  the 
use  of  the  sd  Board  to  be  recovered  before  the  major  part 
of  the  than  Board  when  such  omission  or  delay  is  made. 

Whereas  on  the  day  of  last  past  an  ordinance 

was  made  for  a  Watch  to  be  kept  for  the  safety  of  this 
city,  wl  a  List  of  the  persons  who  were  to  watch,  and  a 
Power  reserved  to  make  such  alterations  from  time  to 
time  in  said  List  as  the  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  and 
Comon  Council  should  think  fitt,  which  abovementioned 
List  the  said  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  and  Comon 
Council  have  now  altered,  by  which  alteration  now  made 
the  Watch  shall  be  kept  till  this  Board  think  fitt  to  alter 
it  again. 

1733,  June  11.  Whereas  the  Mayor,  Recorder  and 
Aldermen,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  did  on  the  16th 
day  of  October  1732  agree  with  Harpert  Jacobse  Van 
Deusen  of  this  city  for  a  certain  lott  of  ground  within 
the  limitts  of  the  sd  city  on  the  west  side  of  the  highway 
that  leads  from  the  said  city  to  Water  ffleet,  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  a  lott  of  ground  now  in  the  occupation 
of  the  widow  of  Jan  Gerritse,  deceased,  on  the  west  by 
the  woods,  on  the  south  by  the  lott  of  Wilhelmus  Vanden 
Bergh,  is  broad  on  the  front  or  east  end  by  the  said  high 
way  that  leads  to  Water  ffleet,  one  and  a  half  rodd,  arid 
behind  to  the  west  by  the  woods  three  rodds  two  foot  and 
three  inches,  and  in  the  midst  of  said  lott  two  rodd  nine 
foot  and  nine  inches,  and  in  length  on  the  south  side 


36  The  City  Records. 

and  north  side  forty-four  rodd  all  Rynland  measure, 
Which  said  lott  of  ground  pursuant  to  the  agreement 
aforesd  the  said  Harpert  Jacobse  Vandeusen  did  on  the 
ninth  day  of  the  instant  month  of  June  convey  by  deed 
under  his  hand  and  seal  to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
commonality  their  successors  and  assigns  for  ever  lor 
the  consideration  of  the  sum  of  thirty-four  pounds. 

Whereupon  this  Board  issued  out  their  warrant  to 
Barent  Bratt,  treasurer,  for  the  payment  of  said  sum  of 
£34.  And  at  the  same  time  ordered  their  s(I  Treasurer 
to  deliver  to  Tobias  Ryckman  one  hund(l  skipple  of  wheat 
and  take  his  note  for  the  same  payable  15  Sept'r  next, 
at  3s.  per  skipple,  £15. 

Gysbert  Roseboom  d1  unfo  this  Board  per  Petition 
setting  forth  that  he  was  iriclineable  to  purchase  a  lott 
of  ground  behind  the  city  fence  of  about  thirty  foot  in 
breadth,  and  in  length  to  run  to  the  edge  of  the  hill  lying 
on  the  north  side  of  Schcnectady  highway,  and  to  the 
west  of  the  said  fence. 

Resolved  to  take  this  Petition  into  consideration. 

1733,  Sept.  6.  Resolved  by  this  Board  to  make  an 
Address  to  his  Ex'cy  William  Cosby,  Esqr.  &c.  which  is 
as  follows: 

To  his  Excellency  William  Cosby  Esqr.  Capf  General 
and  Gov'r  in  Chief  of  the  provinces  of  New  York, 
Newjersey  and  Territories  thereon  depending,  in 
America  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  and  Collo. 
in  his  Majesties  Army,  &c.,  The  humble  Address  of 
the  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of 
the  city  of  Albany: 
May  it  please  your  Excellency, 

We  his  Majesties  duteful  Subjects,  the  Mayor,  Recorder, 
Aldermen  and  Comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany,  do  with 
great  Joy  humbly  take  leave  to  congratulate  your  Excel- 
lency on  your  safe  arrival  in  this  part  of  your  Govern- 
ment and  heartily  wish  your  Excellency  may  meet  with 
success  and  satisfaction  in  the  ensuing  Treaty  with  the 
Six  Nations  of  Indians,  Subjects  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain 


The  City  Records.  37 

As  we  are  seated  on  the  frontiers  of  this  Province  and 
have  very  dangerous  neighbors  to  the  northward  (the 
french  of  Canada)  who  have  made  encroachments  on  us 
by  posting  a  Garrison  at  the  Crown  point  on  the  south 
end  of  Corlaers  Lake  which  we  conceive  will  be  of  very 
dangerous  consequence,  in  case  of  a  Rupture  between  the 
Crown  of  Great  Britain  and  that  of  france.  Wherefore 
we  humbly  beg  leave  to  mention  to  your  Excellency  the 
present  ruinous  and  defenceless  condition  of  his  Maje'es 
ffort  here,  tho'  shall  desist  to  enlarge  on  the  particulars 
since  your  Ex'cy  has  been  pleased  to  view  the  same,  and 
thereby  can  better  judge  than  we  are  able  to  inform. 

We  therefore  humbly  flesire  your  Ex'cy  will  be  pleased 
to  lay  the  deplorable  and  defenceless  condition  of  these 
fronteers  before  the  Gen'll  Assembly  of  this  province  at 
their  next  meeting  to  recomend  it  to  their  care  and  con- 
sideration that  provision  may  be  made  for  building  a  new 
ffort  here  in  such  manner  as  your  Excellency,  the  Coun- 
cil and  Gen'll  Assembly  shall  judge  most  convenient  for 
the  defence  of  his  Majesties  frontier. 

We  are  may  it  please  your  Ex'cy,  with  much  esteem 
and  respect,  your  Ex'cys  most  ob't  humble  ser'ts. 

The  following  order  was  directed  to  Bar1  Bratt,  treas- 
urer, by  order  of  this  Board: 

Sir:  please  pay  to  Mr.  Jacob  Stenhouse  or  order  ten 
shillings  and  this  shall  be  your  warrant. 

1733,  Sept.  13.  This  day  Johannis  Knickerbacker 
appeared  before  this  board  and  acquainted  the  Corpora- 
tion that  he  intended  to  lett  ten  morgans  of  the  land  he 
has  on  lease  from  this  city  for  the  space  of  years  and 
pursuant  to  the  Covenant  contained  in  his  Lease  gave 
the  first  refusal  to  this  board  which  they  are  not  inclined 
to  accept  of. 

1733,  Sept.  29.  In  pursuance  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany,  two  aldermen,  two 
assistants,  and  one  constable  were  this  dav  chosen  for 
each  ward  by  plurality  of  Voices  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  respective  wards  who  had  right  to  vote  and  are  re- 
turned as  follows,  viz: 


38  The  City  Records. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

First  Ward. 

Ryer  Gerritse,  Johan's  V.  Ostrande. 

Hendrick  Roster.  Matthews  Flensburgh. 

William  Hilton,  Jun.,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Cornells  Cuyler,  David  Groesbeeck, 

Johan's  E.  Wendell.  Guilleyn  Verplank. 

Peter  Marshall,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Goose  V.  Schaick,  Ahasveris  Roseboom, 

Isaac  ffonda.  Johan's  v  den  Bergh. 

Johan's  Hansen,  Jun.,  Constable. 

Barent  Bratt  was  chosen  and  appointed  city  chamber- 
lain or  treasurer  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Ordered  by  this  Board  that  the  said  Barent  Bratt  enter 
into  bond  of  two  thousand  pound  with  sufficient  security 
to  this  Corporation  for  the  due  performance  of  his  office. 

Douwe  Isaacse  ffonda  was  appointed  high  Constable 
for  the  ensuing  year. 

1733,  Oct.  6.  The  humble  Petition  of  the  Minister, 
Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of 
the  city  of  Albany  was  presented  to  this  Board  and  is  as 
follows,  viz: 

To  the  worshipful  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comon- 
alty  of  the  city  of  Albany. 

The  humble  Petition  of  the  Minister,  Elders  and  Dea- 
cons of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in  Albany 
sheweth,  That  the  predecessors  of  your  worships  Peti- 
tioners continually  for  many  years  now  last  past  have 
been  as  your  Petitioners  now  are  quietly  seized  and  pos- 
sessed of  their  church  and  ground  thereto  belonging  in 
the  sd  city  of  Albany,  and  also  of  all  that  certain  parcel 
of  land  comonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Pasture,  sckuate,  lying  and  being  to  the  southward  of 
the  city  of  Albany,  within  the  limitts  thereof,  being  lim- 
itted,  butted  and  bounded  as  in  the  church  charter  or 
Letters  patent  thereof,  dated  the  tenth  day  of  August 
Annoq.  Domini  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty 


The  City  Records.  39 

is  and  are  particularly  mentioned,  expressed  and  de- 
scribed, and  also  of  the  old  high  way  from  the  end  of  the 
pasture  called  Schermerhoorn's  pasture,  and  of  the  Bea- 
rers Kill,  together  with  the  land  thereunto  belonging 
and  appertaining,  scituate,  lying  and  being  to  the  south- 
ward of  the  sd  city  of  Albany,  being  limitted,  butted  and 
bounded  as  by  certain  deed  from  your  worships  prede- 
cessors, dated  the  twelfth  day  of  December  Anno  Domini 
one  thousand  six  hundred  ninety  and  nine  is  particularly 
mentioned,  expressed  and  described,  and  your  Petitioners 
being  by  the  above  mentioned  charter  or  letters  patent 
made  and  created  one  body  corporate  and  politick  in  fact 
and  name,  do  therefore 'humbly  pray  that  your  worships 
will  be  pleased  for  the  more  assurance  in  the  law  of  the 
premises  to  conform  unto  your  Petitioners  and  their 
successors  and  assigns  for  ever  the  before  mentioned  and 
rented  lands  and  premises  according  to  the  tenor,  pur- 
port and  true  intent  of  the  sd  charter  and  also  to  grant 
unto  your  Petitioners  all  that  certain  parcel  of  ground 
or  burying  place  which  for  many  years  past  and  now  is 
in  the  possession  of  your  Petitioners,  lying  and  being  on 
the  south  east  part  of  the  city,  containing  length  on  the 
east  side  twelve  rod,  on  the  west  side  twelve  rod  nine 
and  a  half  foot,  and  in  breadth  on  the  north  by  the  street 
nine  rod  and  nine  and  a  half  foot,  and  on  the  south  ten 
rod  and  two  foot  all  Rynland  measure,  and  your  Wor- 
ships Pet'rs  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

Albany,  the  6th  day  of  Oct.  1733. 

Signed  PETR:  VAN  DRIESSEN. 

No :  Sine  deu. 
In  behalf  of  the  Petitioners. 

This  Board  having  read  and  considered  of  said  Peti- 
tion think  it  reasonable  for  divers  good  causes  and  con- 
siderations as  also  for  the  sum  of  five  shillings  to  grant 
the  Petitioners'  prayer. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  for  the  time  being  in  behalf  of 
the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  do  execute  such 
deeds  or  writings  as  may  be  sufficient  to  grant  and  con- 
firm unto  the  Petitioners,  their  successors  and  assigns 


40  The  City  Records. 

forever,  what  in  the  above  petition  is  prayed  for  and 
to  cause  the  seal  of  the  city  to  be  thereunto  affixed. 

Ordered  that  Barent  Bratt,  the  treasurer,  shall  deduct 
from  Joh's  Seger's  two  bonds,  each  conditioned  for  the 
payment  of  £10,  what  is  this  day  allowed  him  and  take 
his  note  for  the  remainder. 

1733,  Oct.  12.  Mr.  Anthony  S.  Van  Schaick  appeared 
before  this  board  and  desired  he  might  have  released 
unto  him  a  small  piece  of  ground  upon  the  north  east 
corner  of  his  lott  containing  four  foot  by  sd  north  east 
corner  and  so  running  along  the  lane  till  it  comes  to  no- 
thing by  the  north  west  corner  of  sd  lott. 

Which  this  board  having  taken  into  consideration,  Re- 
solved to  release  the  same  unto  him  for  the  consideration 
of  thirty  shillings  to  be  pd  to  the  Corporation  and  like- 
wise to  pay  for  the  writing,  and  that  the  mayor  in  behalf 
of  the  comonalty  may  execute  sd  deed  and  cause  the  city 
seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed. 

Resolved  that  Peter  and  Johannis  Quackenboss  shall 
have  the  use  of  the  fifteen  foot  of  ground  which  they  sold 
to  the  city,  they  keeping  it  in  fence  before  and  behind, 
during  the  will  and  pleasure  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty. 

Whereas  Abraham  Vosburgh  had  made  application  to 
the  Comonalty  on  the  seventh  day  of  October,  1732  for  a 
piece  of  ground  lying  on  the  Gallows  hill  as  in  the  minute 
of  that  day  described,  but  is  now  desirous  to  have  it  en- 
larged to  the  breadth  of  forty  foot  Rynland  measure. 

Resolved  by  this  board  to  release  unto  sd  Abraham 
Vosburgh  a  piece  of  ground  lying  upon  the  same  course 
as  Mr.  Babington's  house  formerly  stood,  to  the  west- 
ward of  where  Hendrick  Hallenbeeck  flow  lives,  con- 
taining in  length  east  and  west  twelve  rodd,  and  in 
breadth  south  and  north  forty  foot  Rynland  measure. 

In  consideration  whereof  sd  Vosburgh  is  to  give  bond 
payable  to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  or  their 
successors  on  the  first  day  of  September  next  ensuing  for 
three  pounds.  And  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  com- 
onalty shall  indent  wl  said  Abraham  Vosburgh  for  sd 


The  City  Records.  41 

piece  of  ground  and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be  thereunto 
affixed,  in  which  indenture  sd  Vosburgh  is  to  covenant 
and  agree  to  pay  to  sd  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty, 
or  their  successors  twenty  shillings  yearly,  the  first  pay- 
ment to  begin  on  the  said  first  day  of  September  1734. 
The  said  Vosburgh  to  pay  for  writing. 

Resolved  that  the  street  running  from  the  east  side  of 
Leendert  Gansevoort's  lott  and  stretching  to  the  east 
side  of  the  ground  belonging  to  the  City  Hall,  shall  be 
from  henceforth  three  rodd  and  a  half  Rynland  measure 
in  breadth. 

1733,  Oct.  24.  Edward  Holland,  Esq.  produced  a 
comission  under  the  broad  seal  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  for  mayor  of  this  city,  clerk  of  the  market  and 
coroner  of  the  city  and  county  for  the  year  ensuing,  dated 
the  15th  day  of  October,  and  was  sworn  to  the  execution 
of  said  offices. 

1733,  Nov.  5.  Resolved  by  this  board  to  publish  the 
following  ordinances,  vide  Book  of  Ordinances,  fol.  11, 
18  and  19,  to  witt: 

For  preventing  noise  and  disturbance  on  the  Lord's 
Day  in  time  of  divine  service  and  preaching. 

To  prevent  negroes  going  armed  wl  guns,  swords, 
clubs,  &c. 

To  oblige  the  constables  of  this  city  to  go  round  the 
streets,  lanes,  &c.  of  this  city,  by  turns  on  the  Lord's 
Day  to  see  the  laws  in  this  ordinance  be  duly  observed. 

To  prevent  Negroes  or  Ind'n  slaves  to  appear  in  the 
streets  after  eight  at  night  w'out  a  Lanthorn  and  lighted 
candle  in  it. 

For  establishing  and  better  ordering  the  night  watches. 

For  tavern  keeper  to  take  lycences. 

For  better  preventing  of  fire. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  fire  masters  or 
viewers  of  chimneys,  viz: 

First  Ward — Teunis  Vischer  and  Jelles  D.  Garmoy. 

Second  Ward — Gerrit  Roseboom,  Jun.  and  Jacob  Ten 
Eyck. 

Third  Ward— Robert  Roseboom   and   Gerrit  C.  Van 
denbergh. 


42  The  City  Records. 

1733,  November  10.  Resolved  by  this  Board  that  the 
Mayor  shall  supply  John  Sullivan,  a  prisoner  in  this  gaol 
with  a  coarse  Shirt,  Jacket,  Breeches,  Stockens,  Shoes 
and  Cap. 

This  day  published  an  ordinance  for  regulating  the 
watch.  The  fire  masters  got  their  warrants. 

A  new  list  of  the  watches  was  made,  making  thirty- 
three  in  all,  nine  persons  on  each  watch,  the  officer  in- 
cluded. 

1733,  Nov.  15.  John  Lindsay,  Esq.  was  sworn  into 
office  of  high  sheriff. 

It  is  Resolved  in  Comon  Council  that  if  any  of  the 
members  of  the  said  Comon  Council  being  legally  warned 
to  appear  in  council,  and  do  not  come  within  an  hour 
after  ringing  of  the  Bell  to  conveen  \vlout  a  reasonable 
excuse  to  the  contrary,  that  he  or  they  so  omitting  or 
delay  to  come  within  an  hour  as  aforesaid,  shall  forfiet 
for  each  omission  or  delay  the  sum  of  one  shilling  for  the 
use  of  the  said  board,  to  be  recovered  before  the  major 
part  of  the  then  board  when  such  omission  or  delay  is 
made. 

Ordered  by  this  board  that  the  treasurer  of  this  city 

call  in  the  money  due  from  the  following  persons  or  give 

them  notice  that  they  will  be  sued  for  the  same,  viz: 

Jochim  Bratt,         -         -         -         ,£23:0:0 

Ryckart  Hansen,         -         -         -       25:6:9 

Arent  V.  Dyck,         -       -  40:0:0 

Evert  Wendell,          -         -         -  3:0:0 

Luykas  Hooghkerk,      ...         1:2:6 

William  Waldron,         -         -         -       8:0:0 

Johannis  G.  Lansingh,      -  15:7:4 

£115:16:7 

1733,  Nov.  24.  Ordered  by  this  board  that  Jeremy 
Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.  and  Capt.  William  Deck  be  pre- 
sented with  their  Freedoms  of  this  city,  and  that  the 
Mayor,  Recorder  and  Aldermen  wait  upon  them  with  the 
same  to  desire  their  acceptance  thereof. 

1733,   December  18.     Ordered   by  this   board   that  a 


The  City  Records.  43 

warrant  be  drawn  on  Bar1  Bratt,  Treasurer,  to  pay  to 
Ryckart  Hilton  an  Jan  Van  Alstyneach  the  sum  of  forty 
pounds,  out  of  which  is  to  be  deducted  what  said  Ryckart 
Hilton  owes  to  the  city  and  his  bond  given  up.  And 
that  the  treasurer  take  an  obligation  of  Jan  Van  Alstyn 
for  ten  pounds  conditioned  to  put  a  good  and  sufficient 
roof  on  the  block  house  by  Sarties  Killetienear  the  river 
side  by  first  of  May  next  or  forfiet  said  sum  of  ten  pounds. 
Also  to  pay  to  Johannis  &  Jacobus  Radliff  each  the  sum 
of  six  pounds  ten  shillings  for  removing  a  Block  house 
to  the  Gallows  Hill  and  take  all  their  receipts  in  full. 

This  day  published  an  ordinance  relating  to  the  riding 
with  Sledges,  Carts  or  Waggons  through  the  streets  of 
this  city. 

173J,  February  9.  Ordered  by  this  Board  that  the 
Boundaries  of  Schaahtakook  be  laid  out  with  all  conven- 
ient speed.  Pursuant  to  said  order  and  by  the  directions 
of'Comon  Council  a  Letter  was  writt  and  sent  to  Nicholas 
Schuvler  to  come  in  and  agree  with  the  Corporation  to 
run  the  Lines  of  said  Boundaries. 

The  City  Treasurer  was  this  day  order'd  to  prosecute 
Gysbert  Brakell  Jun'r,  upon  his  bond  if  he  do  not  pay  the 
same  w  in  eight  days. 

It  is  likewise  ordered  by  this  Board  that  the  great  Guns 
be  carried  to  the  several  Blockhouses  in  this  city  as  the 
same  shall  be  directed  by  the  field  officers  of  the  militia. 

173J,  Feb.  15.  This  Board  have  agreed  with  Richard 
Williams  to  run  the  lines  of  the  boundaries  of  the  lands 
belonging  to  this  city  lying  at  Schaahkook  for  which  they 
are  to  pay  him  eight  pounds,  he  being  to  deliver  to  the 
Comon  Council  a  draught  of  the  same. 

Resolved  by  this  Board  .that  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Van 
Schaick,  alderman  and  Johannis  van  Ostrande,  assistant, 
go  along  with  the  surveyor,  each  to  have  six  shillings 
per  diem  and  reasonable  charges  paid  them. 

Johannis  Evertse  Wendell  Esq.,  alderman,  Guilleyn 
Verplanck  and  David  Groesbeeck,  assistants,  undertake 
to  carry  the  seven  great  Guns  to  the  Block  houses  for 
which  this  board  allow  them  fourteen  shillings  to  be  paid 
them  by  the  Treasurer. 


44  The  City  Records. 

Order'd  that  a  warrant  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in 
favour  of  Nicholas  Schnyler  Esq.  for  twenty  shillings. 

173f,  March  9.  Resolved  by  this  board  to  sue  the 
following  persons  if  they  do  not  pay  what  they  are  in- 
debted to  the  Corporation  in  eight  days  time,  viz:  John 
Eaton,  Jacobus  Hilton,  Jonathan  Brooks,  Andries  Bratt, 
Teunis  Egbertse.  These  five  were  all  sent  for  and  told 
of  the  above  resolution.  Volkert  Douwe,  Jochim  Bratt. 
These  two  were  acquainted  of  the  above  resolution  by 
letter. 

This  board  taking  into  their  charitable  consideration 
the  poor  circumstances  of  the  widow  arid  children  of  Jan 
Winne,  deceased,  have  given  up  a  bond  executed  by  said 
Winne  to  the  Mayor,  Sec.  conditioned  for  the  payment  of 
eleven  pounds  in  consideration  whereof  Guilleyn  Ver- 
planck  has  pass'd  his  Note  payable  in  three  Months  for 
five  pound  ten  shillings  which  is  accepted  off  in  full  of 
sd  Bond  and  Interest  due  thereon.  This  Corporation 
taking  into  their  charitable  consideration  the  poor  cir- 
cumstances of  John  Stewart,  allow  him  four  shillings  and 
sixpence  a  week  for  six  weeks,  and  order  their  treasurer 
to  pay  the  same. 

Put  up  by  order  an  Advertisem1  acquainting  all  per- 
sons that  the  Key  of  the  house  where  the  Water  Engine 
stands  is  lodged  with  Mr.  Henry  Cuyler. 

Advertised  all  persons  who  have  any  claim  upon  the 
Ground  lying  along  the  water  side  from  behind  the  lott 
of  Mr.  Henry  Holland  to  behind  the  lott  of  Isaac  Grave- 
raat,  to  show  their  Titles  to  the  Mayor.  The  Corporation 
intending  to  give  out  the  vacant  ground  to  be  docked. 

173|,  March  23.  Resolved  by  this  board  to  employ 
Mr.  Richd  Williams,  attorney  at  law,  to  sue  Gysbert  Van 
Brakel  Jun'r,  Volkert  Douw  and  Jochim  Bradt,  in  name 
of  this  Corporation  upon  their  bonds.  This  board  orders 
the  Treasurer  to  pay  Wm.  Shaw  nine  shillings  for  an 
acco1  due  to  them.  This  day  published  three  ordinances, 
viz:  1,  Regulating  the  fees  of  inviters  to  funerals.  I, 
Ditto  of  the  Carmen.  1  for  cleaning  the  streets. 


The  City  Records.  45 

1734,  March  30.  Sold  this  day  to  Petrus  Douwe  a 
certain  piece  or  slipp  of  ground,  beginning  two  foot 
and  four  inches  from  the  north-east  corner  of  his  lott 
lying  next  to  the  lott  of  Johannis  van  Alen  and  running 
with  a  streight  line  to  the  south-east  corner  of  the  sd  lott, 
which  said  two  foot  and  four  inches  makes  it  range  on 
the  north  side  with  the  house  of  the  said  Johannis  v  Alen. 
In  consideration  whereof  the  said  Petrus  Douwe  is  to 
pay  thirty  shillings. 

1734,  April  12.  Mattys  Flensburgh  dd  into  this  board 
an  accu  amounting  to  £5.  which  is  allowed  off  and  or- 
ders drawn  on  the  Treasurer  to  pay  the  same  and  like- 
wise thirty  shillings  to  the  mayor  for  the  use  of  Abraham 
Governour  for  services  done  for  the  Corporation. 

1734,  May  3.  It  is  ordered  by  this  Board  that  Barent 
Bratt,  treasurer,  sell  three  hundred  skipples  of  the  wheat 
which  he  has  now  in  store  for  three  shillings  per  skipple 
ready  money. 

1734,  May  14.  Uldrick  Van  Vranke  agreed  with  this 
Board  to  set  up  300  Stockadoes  for  seven  pence  half 
penny  each  stockadoe,  that  is  to  say,  he  is  to  square 
them  on  two  sides  take  off  all  the  Bark,  put  them  three 
foot  in  the  ground  and  make  one  ribb  about  three  foot 
from  the  top,  and  to  put  a  large  pin  in  every  stockadoe 
thro'  the  ribb.  He  is  to  make  them  square  under  and 
sharp  above,  and  to  make  loop  holes  for  small  arms  at 
convenient  distances,  as  the  mayor  and  aldermen  shall 
direct. 

1734,  May  13  [sic].  Resolved  to  send  the  following  Peti- 
tion to  the  General  Assembly: 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  Province 
of  New  York,  in  General  Assembly  convened.  The 
humble  Petition  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Com- 
onalty  of  the  city  of  Albany  most  humbly  sheweth: 

That  whereas  the  Wall  now  begun  to  be  built  around 
the  city  will  be  a  work  of  some  years  and  great  expence, 
and  that  in  the  mean  time  we  may  be  provided  against 
any  sudden  surprize  that  may  happen  in  case  of  a  rup- 

[ Annals,  x.]  5 


46  The  City  Records. 


ttire  betwixt  the  Crowns  of  Great  Britain  and  ffrance, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  city  are  generally  very  much  en- 
clined  to  have  the  same  fortified  with  Stockadoes,  and  in 
case  that  by  the  stubbornness  of  some  ill  designing  people 
it  may  not  be  carried  on  so  regularly  and  speedily  as  it 
ought  to  be,  your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  that  an  act  of 
General  Assembly  may  be  passed  to  enable  the  Mayor, 
Recorder,  Aldermen  and  Comonalty  of  the  said  city  to 
oblige  the  assessors  to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as 
they  the  sd  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and  comonalty, 
or  the  major  part  of  them  shall  think  meet  to  assess  and 
rate  all  the  inhabitants,  ffneholders,  residents  and  so- 
journers  of  the  sd  city  to  furnish  and  sett  up  Stockadoes 
in  an  equal  and  due  proportion  according  to  their  abili- 
ties, and  that  a  fine  may  be  imposed  upon  those  who 
shall  be  remiss  or  negligent  in  complying  with  the  direc- 
tions of  said  act;  and  that  the  mayor,  recorder  and  alder- 
men, or  the  major  part  of  them  may  be  impowered  by 
said  act  to  order  and  give  directions  how,  where  and  in 
what  manner  the  same  Stockadoes  shall  be  set  up. 

And  whereas  besides  the  Stockadoes  there  will  be 
wanted  other  materials  for  building  batteries,  making 
gates  in  their  proper  places  and  carriages  for  the  great 
Guns  which  are  all  out  of  order,  your  Petitioners  hum- 
bly pray  that  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pound 
may  be  taxed  on  the  county  to  help  to  enable  the  defray- 
ing of  the  charges  of  the  same. 

And  whereas  the  scituation  of  this  city  along  the  water 
side  is  very  irregular  and  inconvenient  for  building,  and 
as  it  is  said  pretensions  are  made  on  some  lotts  lying 
there,  tho  by  our  most  diligent  enquiry  can  find  no  body 
to  show  any  title  to  the  same,  your  Petitioners  therefore 
humbly  pray  that  an  act  may  be  passed  to  oblige  those 
persons  to  make  their  claim  wMn  three  months  after  the 
publication  of  sd  act  and  dock  out  the  same  w'in  three 
years,  or  that  your  Pefrs  may  be  the  better  enabled  to 
fortifie  the  same,  further  humbly  pray  that  the  right  may 
be  confirmed  to  this  corporation  who  will  oblige  them- 
selves to  do  it  in  that  time. 


The  City  Records. 

(0* 

Hoping  your  Honours  will  be  pleased  to  take  the  pre- 
mises into  your  consideration  and  to  pass  an  act  or  acts 
for  the  same,  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray,  &c. 

This  board  allows  John  Van  Alstyn  and  Ryckart  Hil- 
ton each  forty  shillings  for  work  done  to  the  two  new 
block  houses  by  Jesse  Dffreests,  Van  Alstyne  not  to  re- 
ceive his  forty  shillings  till  he  puts  a  good  and  sufficient 
Roof  on  the  new  block  house  by  the  water  side.  An 
order  was  drawn  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  Jan  Van  Alstyn  ' 

forty  pounds  pursuant  to  an  order  of  the  18th  December 
last  which  he  had  not  received  because  he  had  not  given 
bond  according  to  the  directions  of  the  said  order. 

1734,  June  24.  Resolved  to  sell  at  publick  Vendue 
this  day  400  Skipple  of  wheat  to  the  highest  bidder,  no- 
tice being  given  by  publick  advertisement  of  said  sale 
three  days  agoe,  to  be  paid  in  ready  on  the  delivery, 
which  is  to  be  this  week: 

Edward  Holland,  50  Sk:  at  2:9     -     -     -     £6-17:6 
Ditto  -  50   Do         2:9     -     -     -        6:17:6 

Ditto       -         -   100  Do         2:9     -     -     -       13:15:0 
BarentBratt,      200  Do         2:9     -     -     -      27:10:0 


Amount  is  fifty-five  pounds,  £55:  0:0 

This  board  this  day  agreed  with  Gerrit  Lansii'gh 
and  Anthony  Bratt  to  sett  up  400  Stockadoes  at  9d.  a 
piece,  beginning  at  the  Block  House  on  the  Reuse  Bergh 
and  so  on  as  they  shall  be  directed,  with  Tennons  of 
good  dry  oak  wood  of  one  and  a  half  inch  thick,  to  be 
drove  in  five  inches,  the  Stockadoes  to  be  13  foot  long, 
three  foot  in  the  ground,  to  have  loop  holes  at  proper 
distances. 

To  allow  them  six  shillings  for  furnishing  timber  for 
the  Tenons.  No  Stockadoes  to  be  put  up  but  what  will 
work  one  foot  at  least  of  good  fresh  wood. 

Mattys  fflensburgh  has  undertake  to  sett  up  300  Stock- 
adoes in  the  same  manner  and  on  the  same  conditions  as 
the  above  400  to  begin  by  the  Blockhouse  on  the  Gallows 
Hill,  to  be  allowed  4:6  for  Tenons. 


48  The  City  Records. 

1734,  July  20.  The  following  Letter  was  writt  and 
sent  to  Mr.  Johannis  Cuyler: 

Sir:  The  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comonalty  being  in- 
tended to  have  a  friendly  conversation  wl  you  concern- 
ing the  ground  in  dispute  betwixt  the  city  and  you,  de- 
sire to  meet  wl  you  at  the  City  hall  on  twesday  next  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  if  your  conveniency 
will  not  then  allow,  desire  you  may  appoint  another 
day. 

This  Board  this  day  agreed  wl  Hattys  Flensburgh  to 
sett  up  300  Stockadoes  more  in  the  same  manner  and  on 
the  same  conditions  as  those  agreed  for  the  24th  June  last. 

1734,  August  17.  Symon  Danielse  presented  a  peti- 
tion to  this  Board  praying  that  they  would  dispose  of  a 
certain  tract  or  piece  of  wood  land  lying  contiguous  to 
him  and  belonging  to  this  city,  for  which  he  would  pay 
a  reasonable  consideration.  The  petition  was  in  the 
words  following,  viz: 

To  the  worshipful  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  and 
Comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany  in  Comon  Council 
convened,  the  humble  Petition  of  Symon  Danielse 
sheweth, 

That  whereas  there  is  a  certain  tract  or  piece  of  pine 
wood  land  belonging  to  the  city  of  Albany,  lying  at 
Schaahkook  having  to  the  north  Schaahkooks  Road,  to 
the  east  part  of  your  Petitioners  land  and  part  the  hills, 
which  hills  adjoins  to  the  aforesd  land  and  stretches 
southward  to  where  your  Petitioners  Mill  stands  and  ten 
yards  over  the  creek  on  which  said  mill  stands  and  which 
said  land  lyes  very  contiguous  to  your  Petitioner. 

Therefore  prays  that  your  worships  will  be  pleased  to 
dispose  of  the  same  to  your  Petitioner  who  is  willing  to 
pay  a  reasonable  consideration  for  the  same,  which  if 
your  worships  be  pleased  to  grant,  your  worships  Peti- 
tioner as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

This  Board  having  taken  the  above  Petition  into  con- 
sideration Resolve  that  the  Petitioner  shall  have  the 
sd  certain  tract  or  piece  of  pine  wood  land  as  hereinafter 
bounded,  viz:  To  the  north  and  west  Schaahkooks  Road 


The  City  Records.  49 

as  it  now  runs,  to  the  east 'part  by  his  land  and  part  by 
the  hills,  which  hills  joins  to  the  sd  land  and  stretches 
southward  along  said  hills  to  the  creek  where  his  Griss 
Mill  now  stands  and  so  along  the  north  side  of  the  creek 
westerly  till  it  comes  to  Hudson's  River,  for  the  sum  of 
sixty  pounds,  of  which  thirty  pound  to  be  paid  the  first 
day  of  October  now  next  ensuing  by  the  delivery  of  the 
deed,  and  the  other  thirty  pound  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  January  173f,  for  which  he  is  to  give  Bond. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  comonalty 
execute  said  deed  and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be  thereunto 
affixed. 

Jeremiah  Pamerton  this* day  paid  his  bond  of  fifteen 
pound  due  to  the  city,  which  was  cancelled  by  order  of 
this  Board. 

1734,  August  24.  Resolved  by  this  Board  to  write  a 
Letter  to  David  Verplank  which  was  in  the  following 
words,  viz: 

Sir:  The  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comonalty  desire  that 
you  will  be  pleased  to  come  up  and  indeavour  to  agree 
wl  them  to  give  libertye  to  sett  the  Stockadoes  for  forti- 
fving  the  city  over  your  lott  where  the  fence  now  stands. 
If  you  cannot  conveniently  come  up,  please  to  signifie 
your  consent  thereto  by  a  letter  under  your  hand,  else  the 
mayor,  £c.  will  be  obliged  to  issue  out  a  sumons  to  ap- 
praise the  value  of  sd  ground  according  to  the  directions 
of  the  act  of  Assembly  made  for  that  purpose.  By  orcler 
of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comonalty. 
To  Mr.  David  Verplank.  JA.  STEVENSON,  D  Clerk. 

Resolved  by  this  Board  that  the  Mayor  in  the  name  of 
the  Comonalty  shall  execute  to  Benjamin  Bratt  at  the 
desire  of  Albert  Ryckman,  a  deed  for  a  lott  of  ground 
lying  on  the  Plain,  and  sold  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  the  first  day  of  December,  1686,  as  by  the 
minutes  of  that  day  may  appear.  It  is  lott  No.  '21, 
having  to  the  west  the  lott  late  of  Philip  Dffreest,  to  the 
east  the  lane,  to  the  north  the  lott  of  Jacob  Bogaert  decd, 
and  to  the  south  the  lott  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  Jan 
Janse  Bleecker,  as  the  same  is  in  fence. 


50  The  City  Records. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Bar ent  Bratt,  treasurer,  to  pay 
to  John  Groesbeeck  £  17:13 :9|,  being  for  four  great  guns 
and  carriages  for  the  use  of  the  city. 

1734,  Sept.  29.  In  pursuance  of  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany,  two  Aldermen,  two  Assist- 
ants and  one  constable  were  chosen  for  each  ward  by 
plurality  of  voices  of  the  several  inhabitants  of  the  said 
city  who  had  a  right  to  vote,  and  are  returned  as  follows, 
viz: 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

First  Ward. 

Reyer  Gerritse,  Job's  v  Oostrande, 

Hendrick  Roster.  Mattys  fflensburgh. 

Peter  van  Alen,  Constable. 

Second    Ward. 

Cornelis  Cuyler,  Jacob  Ten  Eyck, 

Joh's  E.  Wendell,  Jacob  Glen. 

Rob1  Rumney,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Leend1  Gaansevoort,  Jesse  Dffreest, 

Joban's  Vischer,  Gerrit  G.  Lansingh. 

Johan's  Pruyn,  Jun'r,  Constable. 
Barent  Bratt  was  chosen  City  Chamberlain. 
William  Hilton,  Jr.,  high  Constable. 
1734,  Oct.  29.  This  day  appeared  Johan's  Wyngaert 
and  Zechariah  Zieckelsy  and  agreed  with  the  Comon 
Council  to  go  round  every  night  and  to  call  every  hour 
from  ten  a  clock  to  four  in  the  morning  at  all  the  following 
places  of  the  city  what  a  clock  and  what  weather  it  is, 
viz:  At  Frederick  Myndertse's  corner,  Obadiah  Cooper's 
corner,  the  Mayor's  corner,  Philip  Livingston's,  the  Eng- 
lish Church,  Johan's  Lansingh's  Jun'r,  the  Well  of  Gys- 
bert  Marcellis's,  Hendrick  Ten  Eyck's  corner,  the  Re- 
corder's, John  Waters's,  Jacob  Lansingh's,  Leendert 
Gaansevoort's  and  Henry  Holland's  for  which  services 
they  a;e  to  have  each  eight  pounds  and  each  six  shillings 
for  candles.  To  begin  this  next  night  and  to  end  the 
last  night  of  April  next  ensuing,  and  in  case  any  com- 
plaints are  sufficiently  made  out  agl  them  of  the  neglect 


The  City  Records.  51 

of  their  duty,  they  or  either  of  them  neglecting  are  to 
be  discharged  without  payment  for  the  time  they  have 
served. 

1734,  Nov.  9.  Abraham  Defreest  appeared  before  this 
Board  and  desired  to  buy  a  ps  of  pine  wood  land  lying 
at  Schaahtekook  adjoining  to  Simon  Danielse's  land  on 
the  north  side  of  Schaahtekook's  Road.  Johannis  Vischer, 
one  of  the  aldermen,  is  appointed  by  this  board  to  go 
and  view  sd  land  and  bring  a  report  of  the  same. 

The  following  fire  masters  were  appointed  by  this 
board  for  the  year  ensuing,  viz: 

First  Ward — Jacob  Maase  and  Dirck  Winne. 

Second  Ward — Jacob  Verplank  and  Symon  Veeder. 

Third  Ward — Johannis  Goewy  and  Abram  Witbeck. 

1734,  Nov.  20.  This  board  sold  this  day  unto  Abram 
Defreest  twenty-one  morgans  of  the  pine  wood  land 
which  he  desired  to  buy  last  Comon  Council,  lying  and 
being  upon  the  hill  at  the  back  of  Symon  Danielse's  land, 
beginning  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  ridge  of  the 
hill  and  so  along  the  north  side  of  the  road  that  leads  to 
Schaahtekook  at  about  fifty  yards  distance  from  the  road, 
containing  two  hundred  yard  in  breadth  along  the  road 
keeping  said  distance  from  said  road  with  a  streight  line 
till  giving  the  same  distance  of  two  hundred  yards  in  the 
rear  another  streight  line  to  run  to  the  place  where  first 
begun,  will  make  up  the  sd  quantity  of  twenty-one  mor- 
gans, he  being  to  pay  therefore  the  sum  of  twenty-five 
pounds;  that  is  to  say,  twelve  pound  ten  shillings  the 
first  day  of  July  next  and  twelve  pound  ten  shillings,  the 
remainder,  on  the  first  day  of  July  1736,  for  which  sums 
he  is  to  give  bond  and  also  the  yearly  rent  of  two  fatt 
hens  for  ever.  The  first  payment  to  begin  on  the  first 
day  of  February  173£.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  in- 
dentures shall  be  drawn  accordingly,  and  that  the  mayor 
in  behalf  of  the  comonalty  shall  cause  the  city  seal  to 
be  thereto  affixed  and  the  same  to  be  entered  on  the 
publick  records. 

John  Lindesay,  Esq.  produced  a  commission  for  sheriff 
of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany  for  the  year  ensuing, 
and  took  his  oath  of  office  before  this  board. 


52  The  City  Records. 

1734,  Nov.  26.  This  board  agreed  w'  Johan's  Seger 
to  furnish  fire  wood  and  to  make  fire  for  the  Comon 
Council  and  Mayors  Court  for  the  sum  of  thirty  shillings 
for  one  year. 

This  Board  agreed  wl  Evert  Wendell  and  Richard 
Williams,  Esqr's,  Atty's  at  Law,  to  give  their  opinions 
in  writing  under  their  hand  signed  by  them,  whether  or 
not  the  Corporation  can  legally  grant  a  deed  to  Peter 
Brower  for  the  land  he  purchased  of  the  Indians  lying  at 
Tienenderogue,  which  is  part  of  the  land  contained  in 
the  Indian  deed  which  John  Depeyster,  Esq'r,  late  mayor 
of  this  city,  had  in  his  custody  wl  other  writings  and 
which  he  says  is  destroyed  for  which  their  advice  so  given 
under  hand  as  af°,  this  Board  is  to  pay  each  of  them 
twenty  shillings. 

1734,  Nov.  29.  Evert  Wendell  and  Richard  Williams 
Esqrs..  Attorneys  at  Law,  gave  in  their  opinion  in  writ- 
ing under  their  hands  and  seals  concerning  Peter  Brower's 
deed,  according  to  their  agreement  last  Comon  Council 
which  was  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  city  of 
Albany  having  desired  our  opinion  concerning  a  Tract 
of  land  comprehended  within  the  lirnitts  and  boundaries 
of  one  thousand  acres  of  land  scituate  at  Tiennenoroge 
granted  by  his  city  charter  to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany  of  which  tract  of  land 
one  Peter  Brower  having  made  a  purchase  from  the  In- 
dian owners  and  now  petition  the  sd  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalFy  that  they  will  confirm  his  said  purchase  there 
if  the  sd  mayor,  aldermen,  &c.,  can  comply  with  said  pe- 
tition. 

Upon  perusal  of  the  sd  Charter  we  find  a  Lycence  to 
purchase  and  a  Grant  in  fee  simple  for  one  thousand 
acres  of  low  or  meadow  land  at  Tiennonderoge  to  the 
mayor,  aldermen,  &c.  af11  for  part  of  which  said  Peter 
Brower  hath  obtained  an  Indian  purchase  for  the  term  of 
nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years. 

We  are  therefore  humbly  of  opinion  and  do  advise  the 
said  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  upon  the  said  Peter 


The  City  Records.  53 

Brewer's  assigning  over  the  Indian  deed  they  may  grant 
and  confirm  to  said  Peter  the  said  tract  of  land  for  the 
term  specified  in  his  said  Indian  deed. 

We  remain  with  great  Respect, 

Your  very  humble  Servants. 

EVERT  WENDELL, 

Albany,  November  27th,  1734.       RICH'D  WILLIAMS. 

This  day  Peter  Brower  appeared  in  Comon  Council 
and  produced  an  Indian  Lease  for  a  certain  tract  or 
parcel  of  land,  scituate,  lying  and  being  about  one  Eng- 
lish mile  above  Fort  Hunter  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Mohawk  River,  begining  by  a  certain  creek  called  Och- 
rachqua  or  Aries  creek,  from  thence  down  along  the  said 
river  to  the  said  small  creek  or  run  of  water,  being  about 
900  yards,  from  thence  with  a  southerly  line  into  the 
woods  about  an  English  mile,  from  thence  with  a  westerly 
line  to  the  before  mentioned  Aries  creek  and  from  thence 
along  the  sd  creek  to  the  place  where  it  first  begun,  where 
the  sd  Aries  creek  runs  into  the  river,  being  about  ten  or 
eleven  morgan  low  or  meadow  land,  be  it  more  or  less, 
together  \v*  all  and  singular  the  appurtenances  thereunto 
belonging  or  in  any  ways  appertaining,  for  the  term  of 
999  years,  which  said  lease  he  the  said  Peter  Brower  had 
obtained  on  the  7th  day  of  July  1730,  from  David,  Gideon, 
Jacob,  Canastadie,  Jacomyn  and  Josina,  Sachems  of  the 
Mohawk  Castle,  duly  executed  under  their  hands  and 
seals,  which  said  Lease  he  hath  this  present  day  assigned 
and  sett  over  to  this  Corporation  for  the  consideration 
of  five  shillings;  that  is  to  say,  such  part  of  the  sd  lease 
as  is  hereafter  mentioned,  viz:  All  that  certain  tract  or 
parcel  of  low  or  meadow  land,  scituate,  lying  or  being 
about  an  English  mile  above  the  ffort  Hunter  at  the 
south  side  of  the  Mohawks  River,  beginning  by  a  certain 
creek  comonly  called  Ochrachqua  or  Aries  creek,  from 
thence  down  along  the  Mohawk  River  to  the  second  small 
creek  or  run  of  water,  being  abl  900  yards,  from  thence 
wl  a  southerly  line  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  from  thence 
along  the  foot  of  said  hill  wl  a  westerly  line  to  the  af1 
Aries  creek,  and  from  thence  along  sd  creek  to  the  place 


54  The  City  Records. 

where  first  begun.  Which  said  tract  of  low  or  meadow 
land  is  part  of  the  lands  granted  to  the  mayor,  aldermen 
and  comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany  by  their  Charter. 

This  Board  agreed  w  Richard  Williams  Esq.,  Att:  at 
Law,  to  give  them  his  opinion  in  writing  under  his  hand 
whether  or  not  they  can  have  an  action  agl  John  De 
Peyster,  late  mayor  of  this  city,  for  giving  over  the  In- 
dian deed  for  the  land  at  Tienenderogue  to  the  Gov'r, 
which  deed  is  destroyed. 

1734.  Dec.  6.  Peter  Brower  having  made  application 
to  this  Board  to  have  a  lease  from  the  mayor,  aldermen, 
and  comonalty  for  the  lowland  contained  in  the  Indian 
lease  which  he  made  over  to  them  at  their  last  Comon 
Council  as  by  the  minutes  of  that  day  may  appear,  it  is 
therefore  Resolved  by  this  Board  to  give  a  lease  unto  the 
said  Peter  Brower  for  the  terra  of  999  years  for  the  land 
hereafter  mentioned,  viz:  To  begin  at  a  certain  creek 
comonly  called  Ochrachaqua  or  Aries  creek,  from  thence 
down  along  Mohawks  River  to  the  second  small  creek  or 
run  of  water,  being  abl  900  yards,  from  thence  with  a 
southerly  line  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  from  thence  along 
the  foot  of  the  hill,  till  with  a  north  line  36  degrees  east, 
you  come  to  the  mouth  of  the  said  Aries  creek  where 
first  begun,  containing  about  six  morgans  be  it  more  or 
less.  In  consideration  whereof  the  said  Peter  Brower 
is  to  pay  to  this  Corporation  the  sum  of  six  pounds  and 
two  skipple  of  good  merchantable  Winter  wheat  yearly, 
First  payment  to  begin  the  first  day  of  February  173|, 
and  ever  after  on  the  first  day  of  February  in  course,  for 
each  morgan  contained  w'in  sd  boundaries,  and  that  the 
mayor  in  behalf  of  the  Comonalty  shall  execute  a  deed 
for  the  same  and  cause  the  seal  of  the  city  to  be  there- 
unto affixed. 

It  being  put  to  a  vote  whether  the  lott  of  ground  in 
dispute  between  this  Corporation  and  Johannis  Cuyler, 
should  be  agreed  for  or  not  carried  by  a  majority  to  be 
agreed. 

Being  again  put  to  the  vote  for  how  much  they  should 
agree,  carrd  by  a  majority  that  the  said  Johan's  Cuyler 


The  City  Records.  55 

should  pay  to  the  corporation  ten  pounds  for  their  claim, 
which  Cornells  Cuyler  agreed  to  for  his  father. 

Then  it  was  Resolved  by  this  Board  to  release  to  the 
said  Johan's  Cuyler  tor  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  to  be  paid 
on  delivery  of  the  deed,  the  said  lott  of  ground  which 
lyes  in  the  2d  ward  of  the  said  city,  bounded  on  the  east 
by  the  highway  or  lane,  on  the  south  by  the  now  dwell- 
ing lott  of  the  sd  Johan's  Cuyler,  on  the  west  to  the  lotts 
of  the  said  Johannis  Cuyler  and  Johan's  Beeckmari,  and 
on  the  north  the  street  that  runs  by  the  fronts  of  the 
houses  of  Schieboleth  Bogardus,  Joh's  De  Garmoy  and 
others  containing  in  breadth  on  the  east  side  live  rodd 
and  seven  foot,  en  the  wast  side  five  rodd,  in  length  on 
the  south  side  nine  rodd  and  two  foot  and  on  the  north 
side  eight  rodd  and  six  foot,  all  Rynland  measure.  And 
that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  comonalty  execute  a  deed 
for  the  same  and  cause  the  seal  of  the  city  to  be  there- 
unto affixed. 

173i,  February  18.  This  board  orders  Barent  Bratt, 
treasurer,  to  sell  300  skipple  of  the  wheat  now  in  store, 
for  ready  money,  at  least  3s.  per  skipple,  and  as  much 
more  as  he  can  gett;  but  if  any  of  the  city  creditors  buys 
to  discount  for  so  much  as  is  owing  to  them. 

The  following  Letter  was  writt  to  Lewis  and  Peter 
Fiele,  sign'd  by  the  present  members. 

Gentlemen:  According  to  your  request  have  laid  be- 
fore the  Coinon  Council  your  grievance  threatened  by  the 
Indians,  and  it  is  resolved  by  this  board,  that  whenever 
those  Indians  who  make  pretensions  on  Lewis's  creek 
return  from  their  hunting,  you  would  desire  them  to  come 
here,  and  if  their  pretensions  are  good  we  shall  make 
them  satisfaction.  We  are  Gentlemen. 

Order'd  Barent  Bratt  to  pay  to  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  7s. 
To  give  Johan's  Seger  6  sk.  wheat  and  make  him  debtor 
on  acctl  his  salary  for  same. 

Ordered  by  this  board  that  Barent  Bratt,  city  treasurer, 
make  Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  Peter  Fiele  and  Hugo  Fiele, 
Dr.  for  £5  pr  annum  for  the  rent  of  the  saw  mill  on 
Lewis's  creek  in  room  of  Johannis  Ouderkerk. 


56  The  City  Records. 

Whereas  the  well  in  the  Joncker  street  is  out  of  re- 
pair, it  is  ordered  by  this  board  that  the  mayor  lay  out  a 
sum  not  exceeding  thirty  shillings  towards  the  repair  of 
said  well. 

173i,  March  4.  This  day  Leendert  v  Veghten  ap- 
peared before  this  board  and  purchased  a  certain  piece 
or  parcel  of  ground,  scituate,  lying  and  being  on  the  south 
side  of  Schaahkook  creek,  beginning  at  a  certain  creek 
or  hill  called  the  fountain  Creek  or  killetie  where  it 
empties  itself  into  the  said  Schaahkook  creek  and  so 
down  along  the  said  Schaahkooks  creek  as  it  runs 
about  an  English  mile  to  a  small  hill  to  the  southward 
of  said  land,  from  said  small  hill  to  the  place  where 
first  begun,  containing  in  the  whole  with  low  and  upland 
fifteen  morgan,  to  him  the  said  Leendert  v  Veghten  and 
the  heirs  of  his  body,  and  failing  of  the  heirs  of  his  body 
to  his  brother  Dirck  v  Veghten,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for 
ever,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  fourteen  pounds  current  mo- 
ney of  the  province  of  New  York,  on  the  delivery  of  the 
deed,  which  is  to  be  perfected  on  Thursday  next,  and 
also  the  yearly  rent  of  eight  skipple  good  merchantable 
winter  wheat  yearly  in  the  month  of  February,  the  first 
payment  to  begin  in  the  month  of  February  163f  [sic]. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  indentures  be  drawn  ac- 
cordingly, and  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonalty  execute  the  same  and  cause  the 
city  seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed  and  the  same  to  be  en- 
tered upon  the  publick  records. 

Harme  Van  Veghten  on  behalf  of  his  father,  Dirck  v 
Veghten  laid  the  following  Petition  before  this  Board: 

To  the  worshipful  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany.  The  Petition  of  Dirck 
v  Veghten  humbly  sheweth, 

That  whereas  there  is  a  certain  piece  of  unimproved 
lands  belonging  to  the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Albany 
at  Schaahkook,  and  lyes  contiguous  and  adjoining  to  the 
westward  of  your  petitioner's  lands,  containing  about 
two  or  three  morgans,  and  whereas  the  same  is  very 
conv1  for  your  worships  petitioner,  and  would  be  of  great 


The  City  Records.  57 

prejudice  to  him  that  any  other  should  purchase  it,  your 
worships  petitioner  humbly  prays  that  you  will  be  pleased 
to  dispose  of  the  same  to  him  for  a  reasonable  price  and 
under  such  conditions  as  your  worships  think  meet,  and 
your  worships  petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

1735,  April  10.  Resolved  that  Johannis  Seger  shall 
have  the  use  of  two  inorgans  of  land  for  twenty-five 
years,  lying  on  the  north  side  of  the  Road  that  goes  up 
the  Gallows  hill  and  leads  into  the  woods,  and  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Rutten  kill,  for  which  he  is  to  pay 
yearly  two  good  fowls  in  the  month  of  February. 

Sold  to  Johannis  Dewandelaer  three  morgans  of  Land 
lying  at  Schaahkook,  being  on  the  west  of  Tamheneck's 
creek  under  the  hill  where  the  comon  road  runs  over, 
for  which  he  is  to  pay  £10  upon  the  delivery  of  the  deed 
and  the  yearly  rent  of  three  skipple  good  Winter  wheat 
in  the  months  of  January  or  February  yearly,  the  first 
payment  of  the  aforesd  yearly  Rent  to  begin  in  the  months 
of  January  or  February  173£.  Resolved  that  Indentures 
be  drawn  accordingly,  and  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of 
the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  execute  the  same 
and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed  and  these 
presents  to  be  entered  in  the  publick  Records. 

1735,  April  12.  Resolved  by  this  Board  to  draw  a 
Warrant  on  the  Treasurer  to  pay  Jan  van  Alstyn  forty 
shillings  which  is  in  full  for  finishing  the  block  house. 

Resolved  by  this  Board  to  imploy  Richd  Williams,  Esq. 
attorney  at  law  forthwith  to  sue  Daniel  &  Jochim  Ket- 
telhuyn  on  breach  of  coven1  for  what  they  are  in  arrear 
to  the  city. 

Resolved  likewise  to  sue  Marritie  Winne  in  the  same 
action  for  what  she  is  in  arrear  if  she  does  not  come  and 
agree  by  this  day  fortnight. 

1735,  April  19.  This  day  Marritie  Winne  appeared 
before  this  Board  and  it  is  found  by  inspecting  the  treas- 
urer's book  that  she  is  in  arrear  154  Sk:  wheat  to  this 
corporation,  and  we  taking  her  circumstances  into  con- 
sideration abate  her  50  Sk,  and  that  she  enter  into  bond 

[Annals,  x.]  6 


58  The  City  Records. 

for  50  Sk.  more  in  the  time  of  one  month  to  be  paid  in 
the  months  of  January  or  February  next,  but  the  other 
54  Sk.  she  must  pay  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  Novem- 
ber next.  But  if  she  neglect  to  give  bond  w4n  the  time 
limitted  that  then  she  shall  be  lyable  for  the  whole  154 
Sk: 

1735,  June  28.  Daniel  Hewson  presented  a  Petition 
to  this  Board  praying  liberty  to  purchase  a  lott  of  ground 
on  the  south  side  of  Abraham  Vosburgh  on  the  Gallows 
hill,  for  which  he  was  willing  to  pay  a  reasonable  price. 

Resolved  by  this  Board  to  sell  said  Hewson  a  lott  of 
ground  according  to  the  Petitioner's  prayer,  to  contain 
in  length  from  east  to  west  twelve  rodd,  and  in  breadth 
from  north  to  south  forty  foot,  on  the  same  course  w*  sd 
Vosburgh,  and  bounded  by  him  on  the  north  and  on  the 
south  by  a  lott  this  day  sold  to  Robert  Flint,  for  which 
he  agrees  to  pay  £15  at  two  equal  payments  and  three 
shillings  per  annum ;  first  paym1  to  be  paid  the  first  day 
of  May  next,  and  the  other  half  the  first  day  of  May  1737. 
Writings  to  be  executed  at  the  first  paym1.  Resolved 
that  the  mayor  shall  then  in  behalf  of  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonalty  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and  cause 
the  city  seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed. 

Robert  Flint  presented  a  Petition  to  this  Board  pray- 
ing liberty  to  purchase  a  lott  of  ground  to  the  southward 
of  the  lott  ground  above  sold  to  Daniel  Hewson,  on  the 
same  course  and  to  contain  the  same  length  of  twelve 
rodd  from  east  to  west,  and  in  breadth  from  north  to  south 
forty  foot,  for  which  he  agrees  to  pay  £15:  at  the  same 
payments  as  Hewson  and  the  same  yearly  rent  of  three 
shillings  per  annum.  Resolved  that  the  mayor  shall  ex- 
ecute a  deed  for  the  same  and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be 
thereunto  affixed. 

Resolved  by  this  Board  to  pay  Peter  Quackenboss 
thirty  shillings  in  satisfaction  of  the  loss  he  sustained  by 
reason  of  the  stones  for  building  the  city  Wall  were  laid 
on  his  ground,  for  which  a  Warrtl  is  orderd  to  be  drawn 
on  the  city  Treasurer. 

This  day  a  Warrant  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  to 


The  City  Records.  59 

pay  Johan's  Ostrande  thirty  shillings  for  laying  up  the 
ground  along  the  foot  of  the  city  Wall. 

Drawn  also  a  Warr*  on  the  Treasurer  to  pay  to  Rich'1 
Williams  three  pounds  for  fees,  viz:  In  the  action,  The 
Corporation  v.  John  Depeyster.  Ditto  v.  Jochim  Bradt 
and  Ditto  on  accou  of  Peter  Brower. 

Drawn  a  Warr1  to  pay  Evert  Wendell  £1:  on  accou  of 
said  Peter  Brower. 

Drawn  a  Warru  to  pay  Dirck  Tenbroeck  nine  shillings 
for  cleaning  his  lott  of  ground  where  the  stones  lay  for 
building  the  city  Wall. 

Drawn  a  Warrlt  to  pay  James  Stevenson  five  shillings 
for  clerk's  fees,  The  CorpoVation  v.  Jochim  Bratt. 

1735,  June  28.  This  day  Mary  Bratt,  widow,  gave 
the  refusal  of  her  farm  at  Schaahkook  for  £337:  accord- 
ing to  the  Coven1  in  her  Indenture,  which  this  Board 
doth  not  accept  off  but  give  her  Liberty  to  dispose  of  the 
same. 

A  Warrlt  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  to  pay  to  Jo- 
hannis  Seger  three  Skipple  of  wheat. 

Advertisements  were  put  up  to  lett  out  the  Water 
lotts  along  Hudsons  River  and  likewise  the  last  notice 
for  the  owners  to  shew  their  titles. 

1735,  July  2.  Johannis  Christianse  appd  before  this 
Board  and  gave  the  Refusal  of  ten  morgan  of  his  land 
lying  on  the  fflatts  at  Schaahkook  to  this  Corporation, 
for  that  he  intended  to  dispose  of  the  same  which  this 
board  did  not  think  fitt  to  accept  off,  and  therefore  gave 
him  Liberty  to  sell  the  same  to  Joh's  Knickerbacker. 

This  board  taking  the  poor  circumstances  of  the  said 
Jan  Christianse  into  their  consideration  abate  him  50  Sk: 
of  the  rent  he  is  in  arrear  to  the  city. 

Johan's  Knickerbacker  appd  before  this  Board  and  gave 
the  refusal  of  18  morgan  of  his  land  lying  on  the  River 
side  at  Schaahkook  opposite  to  Anthonys  kill  to  this 
Corporation,  being  ye  south  part  of  that  tract  of  Land 
this  Corporation  formerly  sold  to  David  Schuyler.  This 
Board  not  enclining  to  accept  of  the  same  gives  him 
liberty  to  dispose  thereof  to  Jan  Christianse. 


60  The  City  Records. 

1735,  July  4.  This  day  the  following  persons  pro- 
duced the  following  Titles  for  lotts  of  ground  lying  along 
Hudsons  River,  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  an  Act  of 
Assembly  for  that  purpose  made  and  enacted. 

Sybrant  Van  Schaick  produced  copy  of  a  Transp1  from 
Peter  Peterse  Lansingh  to  Sybrant  Goose  Van  Schaick 
for  a  half  Brewery,  Lott  &  Garden.  The  lott  containing 
in  breadth  on  the  east  side  or  Kings  highway  six  rodd 
nine  foot  and  six  inches,  in  length  on  the  south  by  the 
gang  way  of  Abraham  Staats  five  rodd  and  eleven  foot, 
on  the  west  by  Abraham  Staats  six  rodd  and  five  foot, 
and  on  the  north  side  the  street  seven  rodd  and  one  foot. 
The  Garden  contains  on  the  west  side  by  the  way  six 
rodd  and  nine  foot,  on  the  north  side  by  the  way  four 
rodd  and  seven  foot,  on  the  east  by  the  river  seven  rodd 
and  five  foot  and  on  the  south  side  again  to  Abraham 
Staats  five  rodd  and  five  foot. 

David  A.  Schuyler  produced  a  Patent  or  Confirmation 
from  Richard  Nichols,  Esq.,  Governour  Gen'l  under  his 
Royal  Highness  James,  Duke  of  York,  abutting  to  the 
north  on  Barent  Andriese,  to  the  south  on  the  ground 
formerly  belonging  to  Frans  Barentsen  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river  and  the  west  side  of  the  highway,  contain- 
ing in  breadth  on  the  east  side  four  rodd  and  eight  foot, 
and  on  the  west  six  rodd  and  a  half.  In  length  on  the 
south  side  nineteen  rodd,  and  on  the  north  sixteen  rodd 
and  ten  foot. 

1735,  July  7.  Whereas  David  A.  Schuyler  shew'd 
title  last  Comon  Council  for  the  ground  lying  behind  his 
lott,  which  is  broad  on  the  east  side  four  rodd  and  eight 
foot,  and  on  the  west  six  rodd  and  a  half,  and  whereas  the 
Comonality  intend  to  lay  out  a  street  of  thirty  foot  broad 
over  said  ground;  they  have  agreed  wl  the  said  David  A. 
Schuyler  that  in  consideration  of  his  allowing  the  said 
street  to  be  laid  over  his  ground  they  will  enlarge  the 
same  on  the  east  side  and  give  him  the  same  breadth  of 
six  rodd  and  a  half  on  the  east  as  it  now  is  on  the  west. 

This  Board  agreed  this  day  with  Dirck  I.  Tenbroeck 


The  City  Records.  61 

to  lay  out   the  Water   lotts   along  Hudson's  River,    for 
which  they  are  to  pay  him  twenty-eight  shillings. 

1735,  August  12.  This  day  the  following  ordinances 
were  published,  viz: 

A  law  to  prevent  strangers  from  being  a  charge  to  this 
Corporation. 

A  law  for  cleaning  the  streets,  lanes  and  alleys  of  the 
said  city. 

A  law  for  paving  the  streets,  lanes  and  alleys  within 
the  city  of  Albany. 

A  law  comanding  the  Constables  to  be  diligent  in  put- 
ting the  several  laws  made  and  publish'd  by  the  Comon 
Council  in  execution. 

1735,  Sept.  29.  In  pursuance  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany  being  the  day  appointed 
for  the  electing  of  aldermen,  assistants  and  constables 
for  said  city,  the  following  were  chosen,  viz: 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

First  Ward. 

Henry  Koster,  Syb1  v.  Schaick, 

Tobias  Ryckman.  Gerrit  Bratt. 

Volkert  Douwe,  Jun'r,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Cornells  Cuyler,  Jacob  Glen, 

Joh's  E.  Wendell.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck. 

James  Stenhouse,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Leend1  Gaansevoort,  Jesse  Dfreest, 

Joh's  Vischer.  Anthony  Bratt. 

Johannis  Spoor,  Constable. 

Barent  Bratt  was  chosen  City  Chamberlain  for  the  year 
ensuing  and  order'd  to  enter  into  bond  with  security  as 
usual. 

1735,  October  29.  This  day  Johannis  Wyngaert  and 
Zechariah  Zieckelsie  appeared  before  this  board  and 
agreed  anew  to  go  round  the  city  at  Nights  at  the  usual 
Hours  and  to  call  at  the  usual  Places  on  the  same  terms 
and  conditions  as  was  agreed  last  year,  and  that  for  six 
months  from  this  day. 


62  The  City  Records. 

1735,  Nov.  1.  The  following  persons  were  appointed 
fire  masters  for  the  year  ensuing,  viz : 

First  Ward — Uldrick  van  Vranke  and  Jacobus  Hilton. 

Second  Ward — Abraham  Vandeusen  and  Hendrick  M. 
Roseboom. 

Third  Ward— Johannis  Cloet  and  Johannis  Quacken- 
boss. 

This  day  was  published  three  ordinances,  viz:  1  for 
Tavern  keepers  to  take  lycence ;  1  for  preventing  fire ; 
1  for  preventing  accidents  by  hard  or  unruly  riding  thro' 
the  streets. 

173£,  Feb.  5.  An  ordinance  was  published  to  lay  a 
fine  upon  the  officers  therein  named,  elected  and  refusing 
to  serve  ,  agl  Hogs  running  at  large,  and  to  choose  3 
more  constables  for  this  city. 

173|,  Feb.  13.  This  day  pursuant  to  the  ordinance 
published  the  5th  instant,  the  following  persons  were 
returned  constables  and  took  their  oaths  for  the  due  ex- 
ecution of  their  offices,  viz:  For  first  ward,  Johan's  E. 
Wendell,  Jun'r ;  for  second  ward,  Will  em  van  Schelluyne ; 
for  third  ward,  William  Rogers,  Jun'r. 

173f ,  March  24.  The  Comon  Council  upon  the  ap- 
plication of  the  aldermen  of  the  second  ward  in  behalf 
of  the  inhabitants  of  said  ward,  grant  liberty  to  build  a 
Market  house  in  the  Brewers  street  over  the  creek  or 
run  of  water  that  comes  from  the  hill  and  emptys  itself 
into  the  river,  running  through  the  ground  of  John  or 
Johannis  Evertse.  Towards  ye  building  whereof  the 
Comon  Council  allow  seven  pounds  ten  shillings. 

Whereas  Johannis  Dewandelaer  never  came  to  gett 
Title  for  the  three  morgan  of  land  lying  at  Schaahkook, 
on  the  west  of  Tamheneck  creek  under  the  hill  where 
the  comon  road  now  runs  over,  according  to  his  agree- 
ment wl  the  Comon  Council  the  10th  day  of  April  last, 
and  Levinus  Winne  (by  Jesse  Deforeest  who  acted  for 
him)  desiring  to  buy  the  same  three  morgans  of  land, 
This  board  thought  fitt  to  sell  the  same  unto  the  said 
Levinus  Winne  for  the  sum  often  pounds  and  the  yearly 
rent  of  three  skypple  good  merchantable  winter  wheat, 


The  City  Records.  63 

to  be  p(l  yearly,  the  first  three  skipple  to  be  pd  in  the 
month  of  Jan'ry  or  February  173f ,  and  so  on  for  ever 
after  in  the  same  months.  Five  pound,  half  of  the  con- 
sideration money  to  be  paid  by  the  delivery  of  the  deed, 
and  the  last  five  pound  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  May 
1737,  Jesse  Deforeest  to  be  security  for  the  payment 
thereof.  Resolved  that  indentures  be  drawn  accordingly 
and  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  execute  a  deed  for  the  same. 

This  board  taking  into  charitable  consideration  the  poor 
circumstances  of  Rachel  Winne,  wedow,  and  that  her  bro- 
ther, Guilleyn  Verplanck,  executed  a  note  of  hand  to  this 
corporation  for  the  payment  of  five  pounds  on  acco"  of 
said  Rachel  Winne,  on  which  note  there  is  yet  due  £2:16 
or  thereabout.  It  is  hereby  ordered  that  the  Treasurer 
give  up  said  note  cancell'd  without  further  payment. 

John  Armstrong  laid  before  this  board  an  acco1  for 
riding  sand,  &c.  amounting  to  £2:9,  which  is  allowed 
and  the  treasurer  ordered  to  pay  the  same. 

A  Petition  was  laid  before  this  board  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing, viz: 

To  the  worshipful  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany,  The  humble  Peti- 
tion of  several  inhabitants  of  this  city  of  Albany, 
Most  humbly  sheweth: 

Whereas  the  Road  now  laid  out  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Gallows  hill  leads  through  the  lands  of  Mr.  Evert 
Wendell  is  very  comodious  and  conven1  for  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  city  (that  is  to  say)  in  the  dry  of  the  Sum- 
mer and  Winter,  but  in  the  Spring  and  Fall  it  is  not  fitt 
for  any  use  either  for  men  or  horse,  &c.,  and  your  Peti- 
tioners wl  humble  submission  to  your  worships  better 
opinion  do  conceive  that  a  more  conven1  Road  may  be 
laid  out,  to  witt,  just  on  the  south  and  east  side  of  the 
block  house  that  stands  near  the  widow  Winne. 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  most  humbly  pray  your 
worships  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  lay  out  a  Road  in  that 
place  for  the  ease  of  us  your  petitioners  and  the  rest  of 
his  Majesties  subjects,  or  that  you  will  be  humbly  pleased 


64  The  City  Records. 

to  give  leave  to  your  petitioners  to  lay  out  the  same,  and 
that  they  may  take  up  so  many  Stockadoes  as  the  breadth 
of  a  gate  requires,  which  Road  to  be  laid  out  at  your 
petitioners  proper  cost  and  charges,  and  that  the  same 
may  be  recorded  in  your  book  of  records  for  a  King's 
highway,  and  so  remain  a  great  ease  to  his  subjects. 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

The  Comon  Council  made  the  following  Resolves  con- 
cerning the  regulating  of  the  streets: 

Whereas  an  ordinance  was  published  the  twelfth  day 
of  August  last  for  paving  the  streets,  &c.  within  this 
city,  and  that  the  time  lirnitted  by  sd  ordinance  is  now 
expired,  the  Comon  Council  think  proper  for  the  more 
conven*  and  sufficient  paving  of  the  same  that  it  is  highly 
necessary  that  all  and  every  the  inhabitants  of  the  second 
ward  whose  drains  or  gutters  empty  themselves  into  that 
street  or  lane  which  leads  down  from  betwixt  Johan's 
Beeckman  and  Anthony  van  Schaick  lott,  between  Jacob 
Vischer  and  Jacob  Lansings,  be  taken  up  and  laid  so  as 
to  convey  their  water  into  the  foxes  creek  by  that  way 
where  the  old  block  house  stood,  and  that  whoever  of 
said  inhabitants  doth  not  comply  herewith  before  the 
first  day  of  May  next  shall  forfiet  thirty  shillings  to  be 
recovered  before  the  mayor,  recorder  or  any  one  of  the 
aldermen  of  the  said  city. 

It  is  ordain'd  by  the  Comon  Council  that  the  drains 
or  gutters  leading  from  the  yards  or  houses  of  Philip 
Livingston,  Esq.  and  the  Widow  Beekman,  be  so  laid  by 
the  owners  as  to  empty  themselves  towards  the  market 
house  by  the  first  day  of  May  next  under  the  forfieture 
as  af3  to  be  recover'd  as  aforesd. 

Complaint  being  made  to  this  board  of  the  inconven- 
iency  of  the  stoop  rais'd  before  the  house  of  Reyer  Ger- 
ritse,  Esq.  that  fronts  the  river,  it  is  ordered  that  the  sd 
Reyer  Gerritse,  Esq.  take  the  same  away  and  carry  out  the 
drain  from  his  house  so  farr  that  it  may  empty  itself  into 
the  river.  The  same  to  be  done  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  June  next  on  pain  of  thirty  shillings,  to  be  re- 
covered as  afd. 


The  City  Records.  65 

Order'd  that  Philip  Livingston,  Esq.,  Reyer  Gerritse, 
Esq.  be  serv'd  wl  a  copy  of  this  Resolution  relating  their 
drains. 

1736,  March  31.  John  Schuyler,  Jun'r,  gave  in  an 
account  to  this  board  for  12  leather  Buckets  at  8s.,  £4:16, 
which  is  allowed  and  an  order  drawn  on  the  treasurer  to 
pay  the  same. 

Whereas  Capt.  Henry  Holland  hath  caused  to  be  laid 
before  this  board  a  certain  Release  for  a  lott  of  ground 
lying  and  being  at  the  south  side  of  this  city  adjoining  to 
the  burial  place,  from  the  north-west  corner  thereof  and 
so  towards  the  plain,  containing  in  breadth  nine  rodd, 
and  in  length  along  the  'street  that  goes  by  the  burial 
place  eighteen  rodd,  and  in  breadth  at  the  end  next  the 
creek  from  north  to  south  seven  rodd,  executed  to  him  by 
Richard  Willson  and  bearing  date  the  fourth  day  of  No- 
vember, 1708,  and  whereas  the  said  Henry  Holland  is 
enclined  to  dispose  of  the  said  lott  or  part  thereof,  and 
being  informed  that  this  corporation  pretend  to  some 
right  in  the  abovementioned  p'mes,  is  enclined  to  come 
to  an  amicable  agreement  with  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  about  the  same.  It  is  therefore  agreed  by 
and  between  the  said  Henry  Holland  and  the  said  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonalty  that  the  said  mayor  for  the  time 
being  execute  to  the  said  Capt.  Henry  Holland  a  release 
which  is  to  be  executed  in  Comon  Council  any  time  after 
this  day  for  all  their  right  and  title  of  part  of  the  said 
lott,  to  witt:  Beginning  at  the  north-west  corner  of  the 
burying  place,  and  so  westerly  towards  the  hill  nine 
rodd  and  four  foot,  from  thence  southward  towards  the 
stable  of  Andries  Bratt  eight  rodd  and  ten  foot,  from 
thence  eastward  to  the  burying  place  nine  rodd  and  four 
foot,  from  thence  northward  along  the  sd  burying  place 
eight  rodd  and  ten  foot  to  the  place  where  first  begun. 
In  consideration  of  which  the  said  Captain  Henry  Holland 
is  to  pay  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  city  the  sum  of  twenty 
pounds  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  October  next  for  the 
use  of  this  city.  For  which  sum  the  Edward  Holland, 
Esq.,  the  present  mayor,  is  to  give  his  own  bond  on  ex- 
ecuting of  said  deed. 


66  The  City  Records. 

1736,  April  2.  The  mayor  executed  a  deed  to  Capt. 
Henry  Holland  for  the  lott  of  ground  mentioned  in  the 
Minutes  of  Comon  Council  the  31st  day  of  March  last, 
according  to  the  Resolution  of  that  day. 

Edward  Holland,  Esq.  gave  his  bond  for  the  twenty 
pound  mentioned  to  be  paid  for  the  consideration  money 
of  the  above  lott,  payable  the  first  day  of  October  next. 

This  board  orders  the  Treasurer  to  pay  twelve  shil- 
lings to  Tobias  Ryckman. 

1736,  May  18.  The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to 
George  Clarke,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Council  at  New 
York  : 

The  mayor  comunicated  to  this  board  ye  Letter  of  the 
llth  instant,  directed  to  Capt.  Collins,  whereby  we  per- 
ceived that  you  would  have  our  opinion  of  a  certain 
tract  of  land  in  the  Mohawks  country,  petitioned  for  by 
Messrs.  Sam'l  Storke  and  Peter  Brugh  Livingston  to  his 
Maj'ie.  We  therefore  shall  endeavour  to  give  you  our 
opinion  of  it  and  its  consequences  according  to  the  best 
of  our  capacity  and  understanding.  In  the  first  place 
we  join  your  Honour  in  opinion  that  there  is  a  course 
left  out.  However  we  can  partly  guess  where  the  lands 
petitioned  for  ly's,  and  are  well  assured  that  great  part 
of  the  said  tract  is  already  patented,  and  we  are  credibly 
informed  that  there  are  several  purchases  made  from  the 
Mohawks  in  the  regular  method  for  part  of  the  said  tract. 
We  are  also  assured  that  some  of  the  Mohawk  Indians 
are  seated  on  part  of  it,  but  cannot  conceive  that  any  of 
the  Mohawk  fflatts  are  included  in  those  imperfect  boun- 
daries. We  are  confident  that  the  method  made  use  of 
by  those  Gentlemen,  first  to  obtain  a  patent  for  lands  be- 
fore a  purchase  made  from  the  Natives  will  prove  of  ill 
consequence  and  alienate  the  Indians  from  his  Maj'es 
interest  and  create  great  animosities  and  strife  between 
them  and  us,  and  in  the  end  drive  them  from  us  to  the 
french,  so  that  we  most  earnestly  entreat  your  Honour 
that  you  would  in  the  strongest  manner  you  can  to  sett 
forth  the  ill  consequences  of  such  proceedings  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade  and  desire  them  to  discountenance  such 
practices. 


The  City  Records.  67 

1736,  June  26.  This  day  sold  unto  Johannis  De  Gar- 
moy,  Harmanus  Wendell,  David  Groesbeck  and  Jelles  De 
Garmoy,  a  lott  of  ground  scituate,  lying  and  being  on 
the  north  side  of  the  city  of  Albany,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  foxes  kill  or  creek,  beginning  near  the  sd  creek, 
six  rods  west  from  where  the  Stockadoes  now  stands, 
running  westerly  along  said  Foxes  creek,  as  the  creek 
runs  nine  rodd,  from  thence  southerly  wl  a  streight  line 
ten  rodd  towards  the  hill,  from  thence  easterly  nine  rodd, 
from  thence  northerly  to  the  place  where  first  begun  ten 
rodd  with  the  use  of  the  said  creek  for  their  tan  pitts, 
for  which  they  are  to  pay  fifteen  pounds  on  the  mayors 
executing  a  deed  for  the  s&me.  Resolved  that  the  mayor 
for  the  time  being  shall  execute  to  them  a  deed  for  sd  lott 
of  ground  and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed. 

This  day  sold  unto  Abraham  Harpertse  Van  Deusen 
and  Hendrick  Gerritse  Van  Ness  a  lott  of  ground  scituate, 
lying  and  being  on  the  north  side  of  the  foxes  creek, 
within  the  limitts  of  the  city  of  Albany,  beginning  on 
the  north  side  of  said  foxes  creek  at  a  stake  drove  into 
the  ground  about  four  and  a  half  rodd  westerly  from  the 
south-west  corner  of  the  ground  belonging  to  Wynant 
Vandeu  Bergh  where  he  makes  his  bricks,  just  on  the 
west  side  of  the  ground  where  sd  Wynant  Vandenbergh 
hath  digg'd  the  clay  for  making  his  bricks,  running  west- 
erly along  sd  creek  as  the  sd  creek  runs  seven  rodd, 
from  thence  northerly  with  a  streight  line  four  rodd, 
from  thence  easterly  seven  rodd,  from  thence  southerly 
to  the  place  where  first  begun  four  rodd,  with  the  use  of 
said  creek  for  their  tan  pitts,  for  which  they  agree  to  pay 
ten  pound  on  executing  the  deed  to  them  for  the  same. 
Resolved  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  this  corporation 
shall  execute  said  deed  and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be 
thereunto  affixed. 

This  day  sold  unto  Thomas  Wilkinson  a  lott  of  ground 
scituate,  lying  and  being  on  the  south  side  of  the  city  of 
Albany  on  the  old  Gallows  hill,  bounded  on  the  north  by 
a  lott  of  ground  sold  to  Robert  Flint  the  twenty-eighth 
day  of  June  last,  containing  in  breadth  from  north  to 


68  The  City  Records. 

south  (ranging  on  the  same  course  with  Robert  Flint's 
lott)  forty  foot,  in  length  from  east  to  west  twelve  rodd, 
all  Rynland  measure,  for  which  said  Thomas  Wilkinson 
agrees  to  pay  fifteen  pounds  in  manner  following,  that  is 
to  say,  seven  pound  ten  shillings  on  executing  the  deed, 
and  the  remaining  seven  pounds  ten  shillings  on  or  be- 
fore the  first  day  of  July  1738,  for  which  he  is  to  execute 
a  bond  payable  to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty 
or  their  successors,  and  three  shillings  yearly  rent  for 
ever;  the  first  payment  to  begin  the  first  day  of  July 
1738.  Resolved  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  corpo- 
ration execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and  cause  the  city 
seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed. 

This  board  agreed  with  Jesse  Deforeest  and  Anthony 
Bratt  to  keep  in  repair  the  roads  which  the  city  is 
obliged  to  repair  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  Assembly  of  this 
Province,  as  they  shall  from  time  to  time  be  directed  by 
ye  mayor  or  any  one  of  the  aldermen.  The  bridges  within 
the  city  excepted,  for  which  they  are  to  have  three  pounds 
twelve  shillings  per  annum,  paid  yearly  for  the  term  of 
six  years. 

1736,  June  30.  This  day  was  published  the  following 
ordinances: 

An  ordinance  relating  to  the  markets;  an  ordinance 
relating  to  the  observation  of  the  Lord's  day  and  the  be- 
haviour of  the  Negroes;  an  ordinance  regulating  the  fees 
of  the  inviters  to  funerals. 

1736,  July  21.  This  board  drew  an  order  on  Barent 
Bratt,  city  treasurer,  to  send  them  twelve  shillings, 
which  they  gave  to  the  poor  Prisoners. 

1736,  July  31.  This  day  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  sold  the  following  lotts  of  ground  unto  the 
following  persons  for  the  consideration  money  after  ex- 
pressed, viz: 

To  Jacob  Lansingh  a  lott  of  ground  lying  to  the  west- 
ward of  the  city  of  Albany  on  the  south  side  of  the  foxes 
creek,  bounded  on  the  east  by  a  lott  of  ground  sold  to 
Johannis  D.  Garmoy,  Harmanus  Wendell,  David  Groes- 
beeck  and  Jellis  De  Garmoy,  on  the  north  by  the  foxes 


The  City  Records.  69 

creek,  on  the  west  by  a  lott  of  ground  belonging  to  Abra- 
ham Lansingh,  and  on  the  south  by  the  hills;  containing 
in  breadth  from  east  to  west  eight  rodd,  in  length  from 
north  to  south  ten  rodd,  all  Rynland  measure,  for  which 
he  agrees  to  pay  thirteen  pounds. 

To  Adam  Yetts,  Jun'r  and  Johannis  Pruyn,  Jun'r,  a 
piece  or  lott  of  ground  lying  to  the  southward  of  a  lott 
of  ground  formerly  sold  to  §aid  Yetts  and  said  Pruyn, 
where  they  have  now  a  tan  yard,  containing  to  the  south- 
ward along  a  small  creek  called  Fountain  creek  which 
runns  to  the  foxes  creek  three  rodd  and  nine  feet,  from 
thence  westerly  to  a  stake  drove  in  the  ground  six  rodd, 
from  thence  northerly  to  the  rear  line  of  the  abovemen- 
tioned  lott  where  the  tan  yard  stands  three  rodd  and  nine 
feet,  all  Rynland  measure,  for  which  they  agree  to  pay 
six  pounds. 

To  Jacob  Teji  Eyck  a  lott  of  ground  lying  to  the  west- 
ward of  the  city  of  Albany  on  the  south  side  of  the  foxes 
creek,  being  part  of  the  flatt  or  plain  where  Jan  Maase 
made  bricks,  beginning  on  the  east  side  by  an  old  burnt 
stump  of  a  tree,  running  westerly  along  the  foxes  creek 
as  said  creek  runns  six  rodd,  from  thence  southerly 
towards  the  hill  to  a  stake  drove  in  the  ground,  from 
thence  easterly  to  another  stake  drove  in  the  ground  six 
rodd,  from  thence  northerly  to  the  place  where  first  be- 
gun ten  rodd,  all  Rynland  measure,  for  which  he  is  to 
pay  fifteen  pounds. 

To  Gerrit  Lansingh  and  Hendrick  Vandeusen  a  water 
lott  lying  behind  the  lott  belonging  to  the  Dutch  church, 
now  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Petrus  Van  Driesen,  con- 
taining in  breadth  before  and  behind  seventy-five  foot,  in 
length  to  low  water  mark,  to  leave  a  street  betwixt  the 
af*1  lott  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Van  Driesen  and  sd  water 
lott  of  three  rodd  Rynland. 

1736,  July  31.  The  lott  of  ground  sold  to  Johannis 
Wyngaert  the  18th  day  of  May  last  not  measuring  so 
much  as  there  expressed,  this  board  have  this  day  agreed 
with  said  Wyngaert  for  said  lott,  containing  along  the 
street  from  the  north  bounds  of  a  lott  formerly  sold  tc 

[Annals,  x.]  7 


70  The  City  Records. 

Jan  Winne,  decd,  ranging  on  the  same  course  twenty-five 
foot,  from  thence  up  the  hill  seven  rodd,  from  thence 
southerly  to  the  line  of  the  aforesd  lott  sold  to  said  Jan 
Winne,  decd,  twenty-nine  foot,  from  thence  along  said 
lott  to  the  place  where  first  begun  at  the  street  eight 
rodd,  all  Rynland  measure,  for  which  sd  Wyngaert  agrees 
to  pay  seventeen  pounds  by  the  delivery  of  the  deed. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonalty  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and  affix 
the  city  seal  thereto. 

1736,  August  30.  This  board  ordered  a  caveat  to  be 
enter'd  in  the  Secretary's  office  that  no  Patent  might  pass 
for  any  low  land  at^Tienenderoge  till  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonality  be  heard  thereupon  and  give  their 
reasons. 

This  board  ordered  another  caveat  to  be  entered  in  the 
Surveyor  General's  office  to  hinder  the  return  of  a  war- 
rant of  survey  till  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty 
be  heard  thereupon,  which  was  in  the  words  following : 

The  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  of  the  city  of 
Albany  desire  that  Jan  Wemp  or  any  other  person  or 
persons  may  not  have  any  warrant  of  survey  returned 
by  the  Surveyor  General  for  any  part  of  the  low  land 
lying  at  Tienenderoge  in  the  Mohawks  country  in  the 
county  of  Albany,  untill  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  com- 
monalty be  heard  thereupon  and  give  their  reasons. 

This  board  agreed  wl  Benjamin  Egbertse  to  enter  the 
one  caveat  at  Dr.  Colden's  office  and  to  put  up  the  other 
in  the  Secretary's  office  at  New  York  for  which  he  is  to 
have  twenty  shillings. 

Whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  the  second  ward  are  en- 
clined  to  build  a  Market  house  where  the  old  Blockhouse 
stood,  between  Abraham  Lansinghs  and  Jan  Maase's, 
which  this  board  permitts  them  to  do  and  allow  six  pound 
for  promoting  of  the  same,  and  orders  the  Treasurer  to 
pay  said  sum  to  Cornelis  Cuylerand  Johan's  E.  Wendell, 
Esqs.,  as  soon  as  the  roof  is  put  on  the  same. 

This  day  a  warrant  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  to 
give  to  Johan's  Seger  six  skipple  of  wheat. 


The  City  Records.  71 

1736,  Sept.  20.  This  day  sold  to  Abraham  Fort  a 
piece  or  parcel  of  wood  land  scituate,  lying  and  being  at 
Schaahkook  in  the  county  of  Albany,  beginning  at  a  large 
white  oak  tree  standing  about  one  hundred  yds.  from  the 
Indian  burying  place;  running  easterly  to  the  foot  of  the 
hill,  thence  southerly  along  the  foot  of  the  hill  three 
hundred  and  fifty  yards,  thence  westerly  to  the  Indian 
fence  two  hundd  yards,  thence  northerly  along  sd  Indian 
fence  to  the  place  where  first  begun,  to  make  up  the 
quantity  of  six  morgans  and  no  more,  for  which  he  is  to 
pay  four  pounds  in  the  month  of  January  173J. 

This  day  sold  to  Philip  Winne  a  certain  piece  or  parcel 
of  wood  land  lying  at  Schaankook  in  the  county  of  Albany, 
not  to  exceed  forty  morgans,  beginning  where  the  Road 
comonly  called  Planke  Patt  comes  in  to  Hudsons  river 
right  over  Sam'l  Doxy's  house,  running  easterly  along 
said  Planke  Patt  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  thence  southerly 
along  the  foot  of  the  hill  till  it  comes  opposite  to  the 
northernmost  point  of  an  Island  lying  in  Hudsons  river, 
called  Stoney  Island,  thence  westward  to  said  Hudson's 
river,  and  so  along  said  Hudson's  river  northerly  to 
said  Planke  Patt  where  first  begun;  together  with  a 
certain  fflatt  or  piece  of  low  land  on  the  north  side 
of  Planke  Patt  till  it  comes  to  a  small  Kill  or  Creek, 
which  is  the  southernmost  bounds  of  Jan  Christianse's 
land  along  sd  River,  for  which  sd  Philip  Winne  agrees  to 
pay  thirty  pound  in  manner  following,  to  with  Ten  pound 
in  May  1737,  ten  pound  in  May  1738,  and  ten  pounds  in 
May  1739,  and  six  Sk:  of  wheat  of  yearly  rent  in  the 
months  of  January  or  February  forever.  The  first  pay- 
ment to  begin  in  January  or  February  174  J. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  on  behalf  of  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonalty  execute  deeds  for  the  above  men- 
tioned pieces  or  parcels  of  land  and  affix  the  city  seal 
thereto. 

1736,  Sept.  29.  This  day  sold  to  Johannis  Knicker- 
backer  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  wood  land,  scituate, 
lying  and  being  at  Schaahkook  in  the  county  of  Albany, 
containing  twelve  morgans,  beginning  where  the  old  In- 


72  The  City  Records. 

dian  foot  road  that  leads  from  Schaahkook  to  Twight- 
kook  meets  a  small  run  of  water  at  the  foot  of  the  hill, 
thence  northward  along  the  foot  of  the  hill  six  hundred 
yards,  thence  westward  two  hundred  yards,  thence  south- 
ward to  the  afti  run  of  water  six  hundred  yards,  thence 
eastward  along  sd  creek  to  the  place  where  first  begun 
two  hundred  yards,  to  make  in  the  whole  twelve  morgans 
and  no  more.  For  which  said  Johan's  Knickerbacker 
agrees  to  pay  eighteen  pounds,  that  is  to  say,  nine  pounds 
the  first  day  of  May  next,  and  nine  pounds  the  first  day 
of  May  1738. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  on  behalf  of  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonalty  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and  affix 
the  city  seal  thereto. 

Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the  Charter  of  the  city 
of  Albany  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  electing  of 
aldermen,  assistants  and  constables  for  sd  city,  the  fol- 
lowing persons  were  chosen,  viz: 

First  Ward — Johannis  Tenbroeck  and  Gerr.  v  Bent- 
huysen,  for  aldermen;  Isaac  Boghaert  and  Hend'k  Bries, 
assistants;  Johan's  J.  Lansingh  and  Wessel  V.  Schaick, 
constables. 

Second  Ward — Hans  Hansen  and  Johan's  Roseboom, 
Jun'r,  aldermen;  Johannis  Glen  and  Douwe  Fonda,  as- 
sistants; Gerrit  Wyngaert  and  Peter  S.  Bogardus,  con- 
stables. 

Third  Ward — Leendert  Gaansevoort  and  Ryckart  Han- 
sen,  aldermen;  Anthony  Bratt  and  Peter  P.  Schuyler, 
assistants;  Harme  Gaansevoort  and  Johannis  Jacobse 
Lansing,  constables. 

Johannis  Spoor  was  appointed  high  constable  for  the 
year  ensuing. 

Barent  Bratt  was  chosen  city  chamberlain  for  the  year 
ensuing  and  ordered  to  enter  into  bond  wl  surety  as  usual. 

1736,  Oct.  4.  Edward  Holland,  Esq.,  mayor,  desired 
of  the  Comon  Council  that  they  would  forbear  requiring 
the  paym'  of  his  bond  of  twenty  pound,  payable  the 
first  day  of  this  instant,  till  the  first  day  of  next  ensuing 
October,  and  that  he  pay  no  interest  for  the  same,  which 


The  City  Records.  73 

the  Comon  Council  agree  to  and  desire  the  same  may  be 
entered  in  their  minutes. 

The  Comon  Council  agreed  to  give  Jacob  Ten  Eyck 
time  to  the  fourth  day  of  next  October  for  the  payment 
of  the  two  lotts  he  bought  the  31st  day  of  July  last,  be- 
ing twenty-seven  pounds,  for  which  he  has  this  day  given 
bond  accordingly. 

1736,  Oct.  5.  The  mayor  laid  before  this  board  copy 
of  a  Petition  and  Order  of  Council  for  this  Corporation 
to  be  heard  before  the  Council  at  New  York  on  Thursday 
the  14th  instant,  on  the  Caveat  entered  by  this  Corpora- 
tion against  Jan  Wemp's  obtaining  a  Patent  for  the  land 
at  Tienenderoge. 

Whereupon  it  is  Resolved  that  this  board  think  it  ab- 
solutely necessary  and  for  the  advantage  of  this  city  that 
the  mayor  repair  to  New  York  as  soon  as  possible  in  or- 
der to  act,  transact  and  forward  all  matters  and  things 
for  the  advantage  of  this  city,  and  to  defend  the  Corpo-^ 
ration's  right  to  the  lands  at  Tienenderoge,  with  full 
power  and  authority  to  imploy  Council  learned  in  the 
Law,  for  their  advice  and  assistance,  and  to  give  to  such 
Council  such  reasonable  fee  or  reward  as  he  shall  think 
proper  and  necessary,  not  to  exceed  twelve  pounds. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  shall  have  eight  pounds  for 
his  trouble  and  that  he  shall  be  further  allowed  ten  shil- 
lings per  day  for  the  time  he  is  necessitated  to  stay  at 
New  York  on  the  city  affairs  after  the  17th  instant,  and 
in  case  the  mayor  shall  expend  any  money  upon  neces- 
sary occasions  in  this  affair,  that  the  sd  charges  shall  be 
paid  clear  and  exclusive  of  his  allowance  for  his  trouble. 

Ordered  that  Barerit  Bratt  advance  twenty  pound  to 
the  mayor  for  which  he  is  to  be  accountable  at  his  return. 

Johannis  Seger  and  Zechariah  Zieckelsie  agreed  with 
this  board  to  be  watchmen  for  six  months,  to  commeuce 
the  14th  instant,  upon  the  same  conditions  as  before. 

Ordered  that  Mr.  Henry  Roster  give  to  Johannis  Seger 
a  Lanthorn  for  the  use  of  the  Watch,  for  which  the 
Treasurer  is  to  pay  six  shillings.  ,£0:6:0 

Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Johan's  Seger  for 


74  The  City  Records. 

his  trouble  in  cleaning  the  water  Engine,      -     -     £0:6:0 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  a  eomon  road  be  left  on 
the  west  side  of  the  lott  sold  to  Johannis  Tenbroeck  and 
Peter  Dewandelaer  the  31st  day  of  July  last  past,  of  one 
and  a  half  rodd  Rynland  measure,  for  a  free  passage  over 
the  foxes  creek. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  take  wl  him  to  New  York  the 
original  Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany  in  case  he  should 
have  occasion  for  it,  in  defending  the  city's  right  to  the 
land  at  Tienenderoge. 

Johannis  Dewandelaer  delivered  to  this  board  a  Peti- 
tion to  purchase  twenty  morgans  of  land  at  Schaahkook 
on  the  south  side  of  Tamhenicks  creek. 

Resolved  that  the  same  be  taken  into  consideration. 

1736,  Nov.  12.  This  Board  ordered  Ryckart  Hansen 
and  Anthony  Bratt  to  go  to  Schaahkook  and  view  the 
parcels  of  land  that  Johan's  Dewandelaer,  Lewis  Viele 
and  Nicholas  and  Wouter  Groesbeeck  have  severally  pe- 
titioned for,  and  to  bring  Report  of  the  quality,  quantity 
and  boundaries  of  said  three  parcels  of  land,  and  to  order 
the  Petitioners  to  be  here  on  fryday  next  to  treat  about 
the  same. 

The  following  persons  were  chosen  fire  masters: 

First  Ward — Jacob  Claes  van  Woert  and  John  Eaton. 

Second  Ward — Luykas  J'se  Wyngaert  and  Guilleyn 
Verplanck. 

Third  Ward — Jacob  Wendell  and  Abram  Boghaert. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Bar1  Bratt  to  pay  to  Joh's  Seger 
eight  pound  and  to  take  his  bond  payable  the  14th  Octo- 
ber next,  wl  interest. 

1736,  Nov.  20.  This  day  was  sold  to  Nicholas  Groes- 
beeck and  Wouter  Groesbeeck  a  certain  piece  or  parcel 
of  land  lying  at  Schaahkook  in  the  county  of  Albany,  on 
the  south  side  of  Tamhenick  creek,  beginning  at  a  bitter 
nutt  tree  which  is  about  one  hundred  yards  to  the  west- 
ward of  the  west  end  of  the  pasture  ground  now  in  the 
possession  of  the  said  Nicholas  and  Wouter  Groesbeeck, 
and  which  said  pasture  ground  lyes  on  the  north  side  of 
said  Tamhenicks  creek,  running  from  said  bitter  nutt 


The  City  Records.  75 

tree  south-westerly  along  the  foot  of  the  hill  till  a  point 
of  said  hill  meets  s '  creek  and  so  along  sd  creek  as  the  creek 
runs  to  the  place  where  first  begun,  containing  in  the  whole 
about  five  or  six  morgaus,  more  or  less,  together  with  the 
priviledge  of  running  their  fence  from  the  opposite  part  of 
the  west  end  of  the  Pasture  now  in  their  possession  over 
the  ridge  of  a  hill  (that  lyes  between)  to  the  said  bitter 
nutt  tree,  for  which  they  agree  to  pay  eighteen  pounds, 
that  is  to  say,  nine  pounds  in  the  month  of  May  now  next 
ensuing,  and  nine  pounds  in  the  month  of  May  seventeen 
hundred  and  thirty-eight,  as  also  the  yearly  rent  of  two 
fatt  hens  in  the  month  of  January  or  February,  the  first 
payment  to  begin  in  January  or  February  seventeen 
hundred  thirty-seven  and  eight. 

This  day  sold  to  Lewis  Viele  a  certain  piece  or  parcel 
of  land  lying  at  Schaakook  in  the  county  of  Albany  on  the 
south  side  of  Tamhenecks  creek,  beginning  almost  opposite 
to  a  place  comonly  called  the  Kleyne  Clay  Hill  which  lyes 
on  the  north  side  of  said  creek,  running  along  the  foot  of 
the  hill  circularly  till  said  hill  meets  the  said  creek, 
which  is  between  two  or  three  hundred  yards  from  a  fall 
in  said  creek,  and  so  along  said  creek  to  the  place  where 
first  begun,  containing  about  six  or  seven  morgans,  for 
which  he  agrees  to  pay  eighteen  pounds,  that  is  to  say, 
nine  pounds  in  the  month  of  May  next,  and  the  other 
nine  pounds  in  the  month  of  May  seventeen  hundred  and 
thirty-eight;  as  also  the  yearly  rent  of  two  fatt  hens  in 
the  month  of  January  or  February,  first  payment  to  begin 
in  January  or  February  seventeen  hundred  thirty-seven 
and  eight. 

This  day  sold  to  Johannis  Dewandelaer  a  certain  piece 
or  parcel  of  wood  land  lying  at  Schaahkook  in  the  county 
of  Albany,  on  the  south  side  of  Tamhenicks  creek, 
beginning  about  fifty  yards  lower  down  the  creek  than 
where  Louis  Viele's  bounds  of  the  land  this  day  sold  him 
begins,  so  running  south-westerly  along  the  foot  of  the 
high  hills,  which  high  hills  are  about  six  hundred  yards 
from  the  creek,  and  so  along  the  foot  of  the  hills  till  it 
comes  over  against  where  John  Burton  used  to  live,  and 


76  The  City  Records. 

so  along  said  creek  as  the  creek  runs  to  the  place  where 
first  begun,  reserving  a  road  of  fifty  yards  broad  near 
where  Joh's  Quackenboss  has  his  tan  pitts,  for  which  he 
is  to  pay  forty  pounds,  viz:  twenty  pounds  in  the  month 
of  May  next  and  twenty  pounds  in  the  month  of  May 
seventeen  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  as  also  the  yearly 
rent  of  two  fatt  hens  in  the  months  of  Jan'ry  or  Feb'ry, 
the  first  payment  to  begin  in  Jan'ry  or  Feb'ry  seventeen 
hundred  thirty-seven  and  eight.  The  quantity  of  land 
contained  wlin  sd  bounds  is  supposed  to  be  twenty-five  or 
thirty  morgans,  more  or  less.  Resolved  that  the  mayor 
in^behalf  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  execute 
de'eds  for  the  three  parcels  of  land  above  mentioned  and 
cause  the  city  seal  to  be  affixed  to  the  same. 

Drawn  an  order  on  Barent  Bratt  to  pay  to  John  Heaton 
six  shillings. 

The  clerk  wrote  a  letter  to  Barnardus  Bratt,  by  order 
of  Comon  Council,  forbidding  him  or  his  brother  to 
threaten  or  molest  Simon  Danielse  in  his  possession. 
They  further  acquainted  him  that  he  could  not  but  know 
that  the  land  whereon  he  lived  belong'd  to  them  and 
that  if  he  did  not  come  down  and  agree  wl  them,  they 
would  eject  him. 

173f ,  Feb.  18th.  This  day  Jan  Wemp  appeared  be- 
fore this  board  and  desired  to  agree  with  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonalty  for  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of 
low  land  lying  at  Tiennenderoge  in  the  Mofiawks  coun- 
try, now  in  the  possession  of  the  said  Wemp,  beginning 
at  a  certain  Rock  called  Ostagrago,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Mohawks  river,  and  so  running  up  along  said  river 
till  it  comes  to  the  stump  of  a  white  pine  Tree,  from 
thence  with  a  streight  line  towards  the  Hills  over  the 
Indian  burying  place,  as  the  fence  now  runs  to  a  small 
kill  or  creek,  thence  along  the  said  creek  as  it  runns 
to  the  said  rock  where  first  begun;  for  which  he  agreed 
to  pay  the  yearly  rent  of  one  skipple  of  good  and  mer- 
chantable winter  wheat  in  the  month  of  January  or  Feb- 
ruary yearly,  first  payment  to  begin  the  January  or 
February  after  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty 


The  City  Records.  77 

execute  a  lease  for  said  land.  For  performance  of  which 
agreement  the  said  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  are 
to  enter  into  articles  of  agreement  wl  him  interchangea- 
bly to  be  executed. 

This  day  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  sold  to 
Hugo  Viele  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  land  lying  at 
Schaahkook  on  the  west  side  of  Tamhenicks  creek  under 
the  hill  where  the  comon  road  runs  over,  running  along 
under  the  foot  of  the  hills  over  the  ridge  of  a  hill  that 
stretches  into  said  Tamhenicks  creek,  and  so  along  the 
foot  of  the  hills  to  the  westermost  bounds  of  Nicholas  and 
Wouter  Groesbeeck's  land,  containing  all  the  land  betwixt 
the  said  creek  and  the  bourfds  above  described,  which  is 
by  computation  about  five  morgans  of  low  land  besides 
the  upland  or  ridge  of  the  hill  abovementioned,  for  which 
said  Hugo  Viele  is  to  pay  twenty-two  pounds,  to  witt, 
eleven  pounds  by  the  delivery  of  the  deed  and  eleven 
pounds  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  May  1738,  and  also 
the  yearly  rent  of  one  couple  of  fatt  hens  in  the  month 
of  Jan'ry  or  Feb'ry  yearly.  Resolved  that  the  mayor  on 
behalf  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  execute  a 
deed  for  the  same  and  affix  the  city  seal  thereto. 

1737,  April  30.  This  day  the  following  ordinances 
were  renewed  and  published,  viz: 

1  For  regulating  Carmen  and  Porters. 

2  For  regulating  the  Markets. 

3  For  the  Masters  of  Vessels. 

4  For  cleaning  the  streets. 

5  For  paving  the  streets. 

6  For  preventing  disturbances  on  the  Lord's  day  and 
regulating  Negroes. 

The  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  agreed  with  John 
Bell  to  be  common  whipper  for  this  city  for  one  year,  to 
commence  on  Munday  next,  being  the  second  day  of  May 
for  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds  for  one  year,  to  be  pd  by 
the  Corporation  at  two  payments,  and  three  shillings 
for  every  person,  white  or  black,  he  shall  whip.  The 
master,  mistress  or  owner  to  pay  for  the  slaves.  For 
due  performance  of  his  office  he  has  given  a  note  under 
his  hand  for  twenty  pound. 


78  The  City  Records. 

1737,  May  2.  The  Comon  Council  order  a  Letter  to 
be  writt  and  sent  to  the  Representatives  of  the  city  and 
county  of  Albany,  which  was  in  the  words  following : 

Gentlemen:  Whereas  some  years  past  a  Petition  from 
the  Justices  of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  in  their 
sessions  was  laid  before  the  Assembly,  praying  leave  to 
bring  in  a  bill  to  the  house  for  building  a  Gaol  for  said 
city  and  county,  which  hitherto  has  had  no  effect,  we 
pray  you  may  present  sd  Petition  again,  being  a  Court 
House  and  Gaol  is  absolutely  necessary,  insomuch  that 
Justice  cannot  be  duly  executed  for  want  thereof,  your 
care  and  diligence  herein  will  much  oblige,  Gentlemen* 

1737,  June  27.  This  day  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
commonalty  resolved  to  make  an  entertainment  for  the 
Governour  and  some  company  at  Mrs.  Kitcheners  on 
thursday  the  thirtieth  instant,  and  accordingly  sent  for 
Mrs.  Kitchener  and  agreed  with  her  to  pay  two  shillings 
and  sixpence  for  every  man  that  eats  there. 

1737,  July  16.  This  day  sold  to  Douwe  Fonda  a  lott 
of  ground  scituate,  lying  and  being  in  the  second  ward  of 
the  city  of  Albany,  ranging  on  the  same  course  with  the 
lower  row  of  houses  on  the  east  side  of  the  pearle  street, 
beginning  three  rodd  and  three  feet  from  the  corner  lott 
belonging  to  Jan  Maase,  and  so  keeping  the  same  dis- 
tance of  three  rodd  and  three  feet  for  the  street  as  far  as 
the  above  sold  lott  runns,  which  is  to  the  length  of  one 
hundred  foot  Rynland  measure,  containing  in  breadth  on 
the  front  fifty  feet,  in  length  on  both  sides  one  hundred 
feet  Rynland  measure,  and  in  breadth  on  the  rear  fifteen 
foot  wood  measure,  for  which  lott  of  ground  as  above 
described  the  said  Douwe  Fonda  agrees  to  pay  ninety 
pounds  New  York  money  in  manner  and  form  following, 
that  is  to  say,  thirty  pounds  the  first  day  of  May  next  en- 
suing, thirty  pounds  more  the  first  day  of  May  then  next 
ensuing,  and  thirty  pounds,  the  last  payment  to  compleat 
the  said  sum  of  ninety  pounds  the  first  day  of  May  seven- 
teen hundred  and  forty,  for  which  he  is  to  give  his  bond. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  in  name  of  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonalty  execute  a  deed  for  said  lott  of  ground 
and  affix  the  city  seal  thereunto. 


The  City  Records.  79 

1737,  August  29.  Resolved  and  order'd  by  this  board 
that  the  street  between  Hendrick  Ten  Eyck's  Guilleyn 
Verplanck's  and  Johannis  Bleecker's  be  so  that  both 
sides  meet  with  a  drain  in  the  middle;  also  the  street 
between  Anthony  van  Schaick's  and  Johan's  Beekman 
to  the  east  corner  of  the  house  of  Schieboleth  Bogardus 
and  the  lott  belonging  to  Cor's  Cuyler,  be  paved  in  the 
same  manner  by  the  inhabitants,  freeholders  and  citizens 
whose  houses  or  lotts  front  said  street,  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  October  now  next  ensuing,  under  penalty  of 
forty  shillings  for  every  week  after  the  sd  first  day  of  Octo- 
ber that  the  same  streets  shall  remain  unpaved.  Ordered 
that  the  marshall  of  this  city  serve  a  copy  of  this  resolu- 
tion on  every  citizen,  inhabitant  and  {freeholder  whose 
buildings  or  lotts  of  ground  front  s*d  streets. 

Resolved  that  Johannis  Tenbroeck  be  allowed  twenty 

shillinge  to  make  a  bridge  in  the  Yoncker  street  on  the 

east  side  of  the  well  opposite  to  the  widow  Livingston's. 

Allowed  to  Anthony  Bratt  for  making  a  bridge  near  to 

the  Dutch  church,  five  pounds  and  two  shillings. 

Allowed  to  Anthony  Bratt  and  Jesse  Deforeest  three 
pounds  twelve  shillings,  for  one  year's  salary  for  keeping 
the  roads  in  repair  to  the  26  June  last. 

1737,  Sept.  12.  Whereas  on  the  eighteenth  day  of 
February  last  past,  Jan  Wemp  agreed  with  this  board 
for  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  low  land  lying  at  Tien- 
nenderoge  in  the  Mohawks  country,  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  sd  Wemp  (as  in  and  by  the  minutes  of  that 
day  may  appear),  for  the  yearly  rent  there  mentioned, 
and  the  said  land  being  now  surveyed  by  Major  Jacob 
Glen,  who  swore  yl  to  the  best  of  his  skill  and  capacity 
sd  survey  was  exactly  made,  and  that  the  same  is  bounded 
and  contains  as  followeth,  viz:  Beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  by  the  River,  running  from  thence  south 
eighty-two  degrees  east,  twenty-six  rodd,  thence  south 
sixty-seven-  degrees  east  twenty-one  rodd,  twenty-seven 
degrees  west  thirty-two  rodd,  thence  south  forty-five 
degrees  east  fifty  rodd,  thence  north  sixty-five  degrees 
east  twenty-eight  rodd  and  one  half  rodd,  thence  north 


80  The  City  Records. 

seventeen  degrees  thirty  minutes  east  sixty  rodd,  thence 
south  seventy-nine  degrees  east  twenty-eight  rodd, 
thence  north  thirty  degrees  east  thirteen  rodd  and  one 
half  rodd,  thence  north  sixty-nine  degrees  east  sixty- 
seven  rodd,  to  Drills  Cripple  Bush,  thence  north  fifty-five 
degrees  west  ninety-nine  rodd  to  the  River,  and  so  along 
the  river  to  the  place  where  first  begun,  containing  in  the 
whole  twenty-two  morgans  Rynland  measure  and  no  more, 
for  which  the  sd  Jan  Wemp  agreed  to  pay  twenty-two 
skipple  of  good  and  merchantable  winter  wheat  in  the 
month  of  January  or  February  yearly,  and  also  covenanted 
to  pay  one  skipple  of  wheat  as  aforesd  for  every  morgan 
of  land  which  may  hereafter  happen  to  be  found  to  be 
contained  in  the  above  mentioned  piece  or  parcel  of  low 
land. 

Sold  to  Abraham  Lansingh  a  small  piece  or  triangle 
of  ground,  beginning  at  the  north-west  corner  of  his 
house  and  so  running  westerly  on  the  same  course  with 
his  house  twenty-seven  feet  in  length,  at  the  end  of  which 
twenty-seven  feet  it  is  two  feet  and  one  half  foot  broad, 
from  thence  with  a  streigbt  line  to  the  north-west  corner 
post  of  his  fence,  for  which  he  agreed  to  pay  forty  shil- 
lings. 

Sold  to  Dirck  Tenbroeck  a  certain  small  piece  of 
ground,  beginning  near  the  north-east  corner  of  his  now 
dwelling  house,  and  so  running  to  where  his  gate  now 
stands,  containing  in  breadth  two  feet  and  in  length 
thirty-one  feet,  for  which  he  agreed  to  pay  forty  shillings. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  or  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty,  execute  deeds  for  the  abovementioned  ground 
to  the  abovementioned  persons  arid  affix  the  city  seal  to 
the  same,  and  that  Jan  Wemp  give  bond  under  penalty 
of  five  hundred  pounds  for  performance  of  his  part  of  his 
agreement. 

1737,  Sept.  28.  This  day  the  Comon  Council  made 
an  ordinance  concerning  the  electing  of  two  constables 
in  each  ward,  and  laying  a  fine  on  any  inhabitant  who 
may  be  chosen  for  constable  or  any  other  office,  and  that 
shall  deny,  neglect  or  refuse  to  serve  as  a  constable  or 


The  City  Records.  81 

other  officer  after  being  duly  chosen  or  appointed  thereto 
and  was  as  follows,  viz: 

Be  it  ordained  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty, 
and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  of  the  same, 
that  the  inhabitants  of  each  ward  within  this  city  do  meet 
in  the  most  publick  and  usual  place  of  meeting  in  their  re- 
spective wards,  and  there  by  majority  of  voices  elect  and 
choose  two  able  and  sufficient  inhabitants  of  their  re- 
spective wards  to  serve  as  constables  for  the  year  ensu- 
ing and  till  others  be  appointed  and  sworn  in  their  place. 

Be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  afd  that  if  any 
person  or  persons  whatsoever  being  an  inhabitant  wUn 
this  city  shall  deny,  neglect  or  refuse  to  serve  as  a  con- 
stable or  other  officer  wlin  this  city,  being  duly  chosen 
or  appointed  thereto,  shall  for  every  such  denial,  neglect 
or  refusal  forfiet  and  pay  the  sum  of  six  pounds  to  be  re- 
covered in  any  court  of  record  to  be  held  within  this  city 
for  the  use  of  the  corporation. 

1737,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  this  being  the  day  appointed  for  electing  of 
aldermen,  assistants  and  constables  to  serve  for  the  year 
ensuing,  the  following  persons  were  chosen,  viz: 

First  Ward — Johannis  Tenbroeck  and  Johannis  Van- 
derheyden,  aldermen ;  Hendrick  Bries  and  Isaac  Boghaert, 
assistants;  Roeliff  Kidney  and  Harme  Bogardus,  consta- 
bles. 

Second  Ward — Hans  Hansen  and  Johannis  Roseboom, 
Jun'r,  aldermen;  Douwe  Fonda  and  John  Glen,  assist- 
ants; Jacob  Bogardus  and  Isaac  Verplanck,  constables. 

Third  Ward — Leendert  Gaansevoort  and  Ryckert 
Hansen,  aldermen;  Anthony  Bratt  and  Peter  Schuyler, 
assistants;  Jacob  Pruyn  and  Peter  Dewaudelaer,  con- 
stables. 

The  Comon  Council  appointed  Johannis  Js :  Lansingh, 
high  constable.  Barent  Bratt,  city  chamberlain,  and 
order 'd  him  to  enter  into  bond  with  security  as  usual. 

1737,  Nov.  8.  The  Comon  Council  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing persons  fire  masters  for  the  year  ensuing,  viz: 

[Annals,  x.]  8 


82  The  City  Records. 

First  Ward — Peter  v.  Alen,  Luykas  Wyngaert,  Jun'r. 

Second  Ward — Barnardus  Harsen,  Abraham  A.  Lan- 
singh. 

Third  Ward — Jacobus  Schuyler  and  Gerrit  J'se  Lan- 
singh. 

1737,  Nov.  12.  This  day  sold  to  Jurie  Scherp  a  small 
Vley  or  meadow  lying  at  Schaahkook  in  the  county  of 
Albany,  scituated  easterly  from  the  now  dwelling  house 
of  the  sd  Jurie  Scherp,  beginning  under  the  foot  of  a  hill 
by  a  black  oak  tree  standing  at  the  south-west  end  of 
said  hill,  running  westerly  about  one  hundred  yards  to  a 
pitch  pine  tree,  from  thence  northerly  about  four  hundred 
yards  to  another  pitch  pine  tree,  thence  easterly  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  to  a  white  oak  tree  under  the 
foot  of  said  hills  to  the  place  where  first  begun,  contain- 
ing about  six  morgans  or  twelve  acres,  more  or  less,  for 
which  he  agrees  to  pay  twelve  pounds  the  first  day  of 
November  next,  for  payment  whereof  he  is  to  give  bond. 
Resolved  that  the  mayor  on  behalf  of  the  mayor,  alder- 
men and  comonalty,  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and 
affix  the  city  seal  thereunto. 

173J,  January  14.  Reyer  Gerritse  and  Barent  Bratt, 
exe'rs  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  John  Rosie,  late 
of  the  city  of  Albany,  decd,  appeared  before  this  board 
and  acquainted  them  that  the  sd  John  Rosie,  by  his  said 
last  will  and  testament,  bequeathed  to  Roeliff  Kidney 
twenty-five  pounds  to  pay  for  the  lott  of  ground  whereon 
his  dwelling  house  now  stands,  on  condition  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonalty  convey  said  lott  of  ground  to 
him  the  sd  Roeliff  Kidney  and  his  heirs.  The  lott  con- 
tains in  length  one  hundred  and  twenty  foot,  in  breadth 
thirty-seven  foot  and  a  half;  bounded  on  the  south  by  the 
house  and  lott  of  Gerrit  Bratt  and  Barnardus  Bratt,  on 
the  east  the  street  on  the  north  the  house  and  lott  of 
Jacobus  Radliff,  charges  and  writing  to  be  paid  out  of  sd 
twenty-five  pounds.  Resolved  that  the  mayor  on  behalf 
of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  execute  a  deed  for 
the  same  and  cause  the  seal  of  the  sd  city  to  be  thereunto 
affixed. 


The  City  Records.  83 

The  following  Petition  was  delivered  into  the  Comon 
Council : 

To  the  worshipful  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  of 
the  city  of  Albany  in  comon  council  convened.  The 
humble  Petition  of  Jacob  Boghaert  most  humbly 
sheweth: 

That  whereas  there  is  a  piece  of  unimproved  ground 
belonging  to  the  city  of  Albany,  lying  on  both  sides  of 
foxes  creek  on  the  south  side  of  the  Middle  Bergh,  be- 
ginning where  a  small  creek  called  the  Snider  creek  runns 
into  sd  foxes  creek,  and  so  running  along  both  sides  of 
sd  foxes  creek  till  another  small  creek  from  the  Middle 
Bergh  runns  into  sd  foxes  creek. 

Your  worships  Petitioner  humbly  prays  that  if  said 
piece  of  unimproved  ground  be  to  be  disposed  off,  your 
petitioner  humbly  prays  that  he  may  be  permitted  to 
treat  wl  your  worships  for  the  same,  being  willing  to 
purchase  the  same  at  a  reasonable  price.  And  your 
worships  Petioner  shall  ever  pray.  JACOB  BOGHAERT. 

1738,  March  28.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  Barent 
Bratt,  the  city  treasurer,  sell  to  the  inhabitants  of  this 
city,  who  shall  require  it,  one  hundred  skipple  of  wheat, 
whereof  each  family  shall  have  but  three  skipple,  and 
that  he  keep  an  exact  account  of  every  person's  name 
that  he  sells  the  same  to,  and  that  he  take  no  more  than 
three  shillings  per  skipple,  but  it  must  be  ready  money. 

1738,  June  3.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  Barent 
Bratt,  city  treasurer,  sell  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  city 
one  hundred  and  fifty  skipple  of  the  wheat  belonging  to 
this  corporation  at  3s.  3d.  per  skipple  ready  money,  and 
that  he  keep  an  exact  accolt  of  the  names  of  the  persons 
to  whom  he  sells  it,  and  that  no  family  have  more  than 
one  bag. 

1738.  July  8.  The  following  Petition  was  deliver'd 
unto  the  Common  Councill: 

The  humble  Petition  of  Nicolas  Groesbeeckof  Schaah- 
kook  in  the  county  of  Albany,  Humbly  sheweth,  that 
whereas  there  is  a  fall  of  water  upon  Tamheneck  creek 
at  Schaakook,  commonly  called  the  fourth  fall,  fit  to 


84  The  City  Records. 

erect  a  saw  mill  on,  your  Petitioner  prays  that  your 
worships  would  grant  unto  him  the  reversion  of  the 
said  fall  together  with  one  morgan  of  land  on  each  side 
of  the  said  creek  and  a  right  to  cutt  saw  logs  on  the  lands 
belonging  to  the  said  city  at  Schaahkook  aforesaid  near 
the  said  fall,  on  such  reasonable  terms  as  your  worships 
and  he  shall  best  agree.  And  your  Petitioner  as  in  duty 
bound  shall  ever  pray.  NICOLAS  GROESBEECK. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  Leendert  Gansevoort  and 
Dowe  Fonda  go  and  view  the  fall  petition'd  for  by  Nico- 
la es  Grosbeek  and  the  land  near  it,  that  they  may  be 
able  to  report  to  the  comonality  what  land  and  quantity 
logs  there  is  near  said  fall. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  Barent  Bratt,  city  treas- 
urer, sell  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  city  one  hundred 
skeple  wheat  belonging  to  this  corporation  at  3s.  3d.  per 
sk:  ready  money,  and  that  he  keeps  an  exact  ace1  of  the 
names  of  the  persons  to  whom  he  sells  it,  and  that  no 
family  have  more  than  one  bag. 

Peter  Viele  haveing  made  application  to  this  board  to 
make  a  dam  a  little  above  the  mill  on  Lewis's  creek, 
which  is  granted  him  accordingly. 

Maria  Bratt,  widow,  pursuant  to  the  tenor  of  her  In- 
denture wl  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  ofFer'd  to 
them  the  refusal  of  her  farm  for  three  hundred  and  ten 
pounds,  payable  in  three  years.  Resolved  by  this  board 
that  the  sd  Maria  Bratt  may  sell  her  farm  to  any  other 
person  under  the  same  restriction  as  she  bought  it,  this 
board  not  being  inclined  to  purchase  the  same. 

1738,  Sept.  1.  The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to 
Collo.  Ph.  Schuyler,  Collo.  Jer.  Renselaer,  Capt.  Peter 
Winne,  Capt.  Rob1  Livingston,  Jun'r,  and  Arent  Bratt, 
Esq.,  members  for  the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  viz: 

Gentlemen:  We  are  now  to  desire  the  favour  of  you  to 
lay  before  the  assembly  the  Petition  of  the  Justices  of  the 
city  and  county  of  Albany  sent  to  you  some  years  ago, 
setting  forth  the  necessity  we  ly  under  of  having  a  new 
City  Hall  built  for  sd  city  and  county,  which  has  lain 
dormant  ever  since. 


The  City  Record*.  85 

As  you  well  know  the  absolute  want  tbere  is  of  a  City 
Hall,  we  earnestly  hope  you'll  lay  it  before  the  house  and 
use  your  endeavour  to  promote  the  same  and  gett  a  bill 
past  for  that  end. 

Ordered  Barent  Bratt,  the  treasurer  to  sell  the  remain- 
der of  the  wheat  belonging  to  the  Corporation  at  three 
shillings  per  skipple,  and  that  he  keep  an  acco"  of  the 
names  of  ye  persons  to  whom  he  sells,  and- that  no  person 
have  more  than  one  skipple  at  a  time. 

The  following  Petition  was  sent  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, viz: 

To  the  Honourable  General  Assembly  of  the  province 
of  New  York.  The  humble  Petition  of  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany  hum- 
bly sheweth, 

That  your  Honours  Petitioners  humbly  conceive  that 
it  would  greatly  contribute  to  the  ease  and  benefit  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  if  the  Excise 
of  said  city  and  county  was  lett  to  farm  to  ye  corporation 
of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  whereas  your  worships  Peti- 
tioners are  willing  to  farm  the  same  for  the  year  ensuing 
at  the  same  rate  that  it  was  lett  for  this  present  year, 
Your  Honours  Petitioners  humbly  pray  they  may  be  ad- 
mitted to  farm  the  same  as  aforesd. 

1738,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  the  city  of  Albany,  this  being  the  day  ap- 
pointed for  the  electing  of  aldermen,  assistants  and  con- 
stables for  sd  city,  and  also  for  appointing  a  chamberlain, 
the  following  persons  were  chosen,  viz: 

First  Ward — Johannis  Tenbroeck  and  John  Schuyler, 
Jun'r, aldermen;  Isaac  Boghaert  and  William  Waldron, 
assistants;  John  Bratt  and  Andries  van  Woert,  consta- 
bles. 

Second  Ward — Hans  Hansen  and  Johan's  Cuyler,  Jun'r, 
aldermen;  Douwe  Fonda  and  John  Glen,  assistants;  Jo- 
han's Joh'se  Beeckman  and  Egbert  Egbertse,  constables. 

Third  Ward — Leendert  Gansevoort  and  Ryckart  Han- 
sen,  aldermen;  Anthony  Bratt  and  Gerrit  C.  Vauden- 
bergh,  assistants;  Anthony  Ten  Eyck  and  Hend'k  Han- 
sen,  constables. 


86  The  City  Records. 

Barent  Bratt  was  appointed  chamberlain  for  the  year 
ensuing  and  order'd  to  enter  into  bond  w  security  as 
usual. 

Adriaen  Bratt  was  appointed  high  constable. 

1738,  October  28.     John  Lyn.desay,  Esq.  produced  a 
comission  under  the  broad  seal  of  the  province  of  New 
York  constituting  him  high  sheriff  of  the  city  and  county 
of  Albany,  and  took  the  oaths  appointed  by  law  and  also 
the  oath  for  the  due  execution  of  his  office. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  fire  masters, 
viz: 

First  Ward — William  Hogan,  Jun'r  and  Jacobus  v. 
Valkenburgh. 

Second  Ward — Johan's  Beeckman,  Jun'r  and  Johan's 
G.  Roseboom. 

Third  Ward — Abraham  Douwe  and  Cornelis  Ten 
Broeck. 

1739,  April  21.     The  following  Petition  was  delivered 
into  Comon  Council: 

The  humble  Petition  of  Evert  Saxby  humbly  sheweth, 
That  your  Pet'r  is  inclinable  to  purchase  from  your 
Wors'ps  a  small  piece  of  ground  lying  on  a  northerly 
Branch  of  the  Beavers  creek,  provided  your  Wor'ps  shall 
think  fitt  to  sell  the  same  to  your  Pet'r. 

Therefore  your  Pet'r  most  humbly  prays  your  Worships 
to  take  the  premises  into  your  consideration  and  to  ad- 
mitt  your  Pet'nr  to  treat  with  you  at  your  next  meeting 
relating  the  same,  and  your  Pet'r  will  pray,  &c. 

EVERT  SAXBY. 

Resolved  to  take  the  above  Petition  into  consideration. 

1739,  April  30.  The  following  Petition  was  delivered 
into  Comon  Council: 

The  humble  Petition  of  Johannis  Quackenboss  most 
humbly  sheweth,  That  your  Worships  Pet'nr  is  inclina- 
ble to  purchase  a  small  piece  of  pasture  ground  lying  at 
Schaahkook,  containing  about  two  morgans,  lying  on  the 
south  side  of  his  dwelling  Jjouse  and  the  north  side  of 
the  road  that  leads  to  Stone  Arabia,  provided  your  W'ps 
think  fitt  to  sell  the  same. 


The  City  Records.  87 

Your  W'ps  Pet'nr  most  humbly  prays  that  you  will  be 
pleased  to  take  the  same  into  consideration  and  admitt 
your  Pet'nr  to  treat  abl  the  prem's,  and  y'r  W'ps  Pet'r  as 
in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  whereas  the  Comon  Coun- 
cil at  their  last  meetting  laid  a  mulct  of  six  pence  for 
every  horse,  cow,  &c.  that  should  be  impounded  in  the 
new  pound  made  by  the  Min'r,  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
the  Dutch  church,  considering  that  the  said  mulct  is  too 
little,  inlarge  said  mulct  or  fine  to  eighteen  pence  for 
each  offence. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  Cap1  Edward  Clarke  be 
presented  with  his  freedom* of  this  city  and  that  the  mayor 
set  the  city  seal  thereto  and  sign  it  on  the  one  hand  and 
the  clerk  on  the  other. 

Evert  Saxby  appeared  before  this  board  and  pursuant 
to  his  Petition  delivered  in  at  last  meeting  agreed  for  the 
piece  of  ground  then  petitioned  for,  for  the  yearly  rent 
of  six  shillings,  to  be  paid  on  the  first  day  of  May  yearly, 
first  paym1  to  begin  the  first  day  of  May  1745.  Not  to 
be  sold  by  him,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  unless  refusal  at  the 
lowest  price  be  first  given  to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty,  and  if  his  peaceable  possession  be  interrupted 
by  war  no  rent  is  to  be  paid  for  the  time  he  is  hindered 
or  disturbed. 

1739,  May  12.  This  day  the  Common  Council  sold  to 
Abraham  Fort  a  piece  of  wood  land  lying  at  Schaahkook 
for  the  consideration  of  three  pounds,  to  be  paid  the  first 
of  February  next,  containing  about  four  morgan. 

Sold  to  Isaac  ffort  a  piece  of  wood  land  lying  at  Schaah- 
kook, for  the  consideration  of  three  pounds  twelve  shil- 
lings, payable  the  first  day  of  February  next,  containing 
in  the  whole  about  six  morgans. 

Sold  to  Johannis  Ouderkerk,  for  the  consideration  of 
fifteen  pounds,  a  piece  of  wood  land  lying  at  Still  Water 
on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  river,  containing  in  the 
whole  about  ten  morgan. 

Sold  to  Johannis  Quackenboss,  for  the  consideration 
of  seven  pounds,  a  small  Vley  or  Meadow  lying  at  Schaah- 


88  The  City  Records. 

kook,  about  one  thousand  paces  to  the  southward  of  the 
house  where  he  now  lives,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road 
that  leads  to  Stone  Arabia,  containing  about  two  morgans 
and  one  eight  part  of  a  morgan,  to  be  paid  the  first  day 
of  May  1741. 

1739,  Sept.  1.  This  day  John  Courtney  laid  before 
this  board  a  Petition  praying  that  he  might  be  admitted 
the  benefit  of  the  agreement  that  Peter  De  Garmoy  made 
with  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty  the  14th  day 
of  July  1719,  for  a  lott  of  ground  scituate,  lying  and  be- 
ing at  the  bottom  of  the  Gallows  hill  on  the  south  of  the 
lott  of  Jeronimus  Van  Vlieren,  containing  in  breadth 
thirty-five  foot  and  in  length  one  hundred  and  twenty 
foot  wood  measure,  and  that  for  the  sum  of  forty  pound. 
The  Petitioner  having  satisfied  the  said  De  Garmoy  for 
his  right. 

This  board  sent  for  Peter  De  Garmoy  and  asked  him 
if  John  Courtney  had  satisfied  him  for  the  improvements 
he  had  made  on  said  lott  of  ground,  and  if  he  was  willing 
that  his  right  should  be  transferr'd  to  said  Courtney,  if 
he  paid  the  consideration  money,  to  which  De  Garmoy 
answered  that  Courtney  had  satisfied  him  and  that  he 
desired  the  said  lott  of  ground  might  be  conveyed  to  the 
said  John  Courtney.  Then  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonalty  sold  to  the  said  John  Courtney  the  said  lott 
of  ground  scituate,  lying  and  being  as  afd,  bounded  now 
the  north  by  the  house  and  lott  of  ground  now  in  the 
possession  of  Manus  Carlan,  on  the  south  by  the  house 
now  in  the  possession  of  containing  in  breadth 

thirty-five  foot,  and  in  length  one  hundred  and  twenty 
foot  wood  measure  as  afores(I,  for  which  the  said  John 
Courtney  agreed  to  pay  the  sum  of  twenty  pounds  in 
manner  following,  to  witt,  six  pounds  part  thereof  forth- 
with, seven  pounds  part  thereof  the  first  day  of  Septem- 
ber 1740,  and  seven  pounds  the  remainder  thereof  the 
first  day  of  September  1741,  writings  to  be  given  him 
when  he  makes  the  last  paym1. 

Sold  this  day  to  Johannis  Seger,  for  the  sum  of  twelve 
pounds  to  be  paid  six  pounds  the  first  day  of  May  now 


The  City  Records.  89 

next  ensuing  and  the  other  six  pounds  the  first  day  of 
May  1741,  a  certain  Jott  of  wood  land  scituate,  lying  and 
being  to  the  westward  of  the  city  of  Albany  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Ruyten  kill. 

1739,  Sept.  6.  The  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty 
this  day  bought  from  Thomas  Williams  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  thirteen  pounds  ten  shillings,  a  certain  lott 
of  ground  on  the  east  side  of  the  city  of  Albany  over 
against  the  lotts  of  Albert  Ryckman,  dec'd  and  Jacob 
Boghaert,  containing  in  length  and  breadth  five  rodd  eight 
foot  and  a  half. 

Drawn  an  order  on  Barent  Bratt,  the  treasurer,  to  pay 
to  the  said  Thomas  Williams  thirteen  pounds  ten  shill- 
ings the  consideration  mentioned  above. 

1739,  Sept.  28.  Memorandum,  That  whereas  Abra- 
ham Fort  of  Schaahkook,  yeoman,  made  his  complaint  to 
this  board  that  part  of  his  land  for  which  he  pays  an 
yearly  rent  to  this  corporation  was  washed  away  some 
years  ago,  yet  he  has  punctually  paid  the  full  rent  for 
the  same  hitherto,  but  prays  he  may  be  eased  for  the 
future  according  to  the  quantity  lost. 

This  board  Resolved  that  as  soon  as  the  said  Abraham 
Fort  makes  appear  what  quantity  is  lost  he  shall  be 
eased  for  a  proportionable  share  of  the  rent. 

1739,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city  this  being  the  day  appointed  for 
electing  aldermen,  assistants  and  constables,  for  sd  city 
and  also  for  appointing  a  chamberlain,  the  following  per- 
sons were  chosen  and  appointed: 

First  Ward — John  Schuyler,  Jun'r  and  Gerrit  v.  Bent- 
huysen,  Esq's,  aldermen;  William  Waldron  and  Robert 
Lansing,  assistants;  Richard  Martin  and  Jacobus  Van 
Benthuysen,  assistants  [sic]. 

Second  Ward — Johannis  Cuyler,  Jun'r,  and  Johan's 
Roseboom,  Jun'r,  Esq's,  aldermen;  Jolm  Glen  and  Jacob 
H.  Ten  Eyck,  assistants;  Johannis  Joh'se  Lansingh  and 
Jacob  Ab:  Lansingh,  constables. 

Third  Ward— Leendert  Gansevoort  and  Ryckart  Han- 
sen,  Esq's,  aldermen,  Anthony  Bratt  and  Johan's  Quack- 


90  The  City  Records. 

enboss,  assistants;  Jacob  Boghaert,  Jun'r  and  Hendrick 
Van  Ness,  constables. 

Barent  Bratt  was  appointed  city  chamberlain  for  the 
year  ensuing  and  ordered  to  enter  into  bond  wl  security 
as  usual. 

Hendrick  Hansen  was  appointed  high  constable. 

1739,  Oct.   27.     Henry   Holland,   Esqr.   produced  a 
comission  under  the  broad  seal  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  constituting  him  high  sheriff  of  the  city  and  county 
of  Albany  and  took  the  oaths  appointed  by  law  and  for 
the  due  execution  of  said  office. 

The  following  order  was  made,  viz: 

Whereas  complaint  has  been  made  to  this  board  that 
there  lyes  a  great  many  stones  and  rubbish  in  the  narrow 
lane  between  Jacob  Vischer  and  Jacob  Lansingh's,  this 
board  doth  hereby  order  the  said  Jacob  Vischer  and 
Jacob  Lansingh  to  said  stones  and  rubbish  to  be  carried 
away  on  or  before  the  tenth  day  of  November  next  under 
the  penalty  of  twenty  shillings  for  every  week  said  stones 
and  rubbish  shall  be  in  sd  lane  after  the  sd  tenth  day  of 
November  next.  Ordered  that  Jacob  Vischer  and  Jacob 
Lansingh  be  each  served  with  a  copy  of  this  rule. 

Johannis  Lansingh  and  Jacobus  Kidney  appointed  fire 
masters  for  the  first  ward.  Michael  Bassett  and  Hen- 
drick Gerritse  appointed  fire  masters  for  the  second  ward. 
Cornelis  Van  Ness  and  Adam  Yates  appointed  fire  mas- 
ters for  the  third  ward. 

1740,  April  8.     The  mayor   haveing   acquainted  this 
board  that  Collo.  Henry  Van  Rensselaer  haveing  an  ac- 
tion depending  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Province  of 
New  York  has  desired  the  said  mayor  to  attend  at  New 
York  with  the  originall  Charter  of  this  city  to  give  evi- 
dence.    To  which  this  board  agreed. 

1740,  May  13.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  a  fire  en- 
gine be  sent  for  of  the  same  size  with  that  the  city  now 
hath,  and  that  the  mayor  with  any  two  of  this  board 
agree  with  some  proper  person  to  send  for  one  from  Eng- 
land as  cheap  as  they  can  and  by  the  first  opportunity. 

Ordered  that  Barent  Bratt  sell  to  the  inhabitants  of 


The  City  Records.  91 

this  city  one  hundred  sk:  wheat  at  2s.  3d.  per  sk:  ready 
money,  not  above  3  sk :  to  one  family,  and  that  he  keep 
a  particular  ace1  of  the  same. 

Ordered  that  seven  pounds  ten  shillings  be  paid  towards 
the  repair  of  the  market  house  in  the  joncker  street,  and 
that  the  mayor  order  the  same  to  be  put  in  repair. 

Ordered  that  three  pounds  be  paid  for  the  market  in 
the  Lower  street,  and  that  Leendert  Gansevoort  and 
Rykaert  Hansen  order  the  same  to  be  shingled  and  keep 
an  ace1  thereof. 

Order'd  that  five  shillings  be  paid  for  repairing  the 
well  in  the  second  ward. 

Order'd  that  a  new  house  be  made  for  the  fire  Engine 
by  the  directions  of  the  mayor. 

Order'd  that  advertisements  be  putt  up,  for  any  per- 
sons who  inclined  to  make  the  fence  or  any  part  thereof 
round  the  pasture  laid  out  behind  the  fort. 

1740,  July  16.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  land 
behind  the  fort  be  laid  out  in  acre  lotts  and  that  Philip 
Livingston,  Jun'r  do  the  same,  for  which  he  is  to  have 
two  pistoles,  and  that  Anthony  Bratt  and  Johannis  Seger 
carry  the  chain  and  drive  the  stakes  att  the  corner  of 
each  lott. 

Joh's  W.  Quackenboss  delivered  an  ace1  for  work  done 
to  a  bridge  and  well,  amounting  to  two  pounds  six  shil- 
lings and  I  pence,  which  was  allowed  and  an  order  drawn 
on  the  treasurer  to  pay  the  same. 

William  Hogan,  Jun'r  desired  this  board  to  give  him 
liberty  to  build  a  small  shed  opposite  to  his  house;  this 
board  grants  him  leave  to  build  the  same  and  remain 
there  during  the  pleasure  of  this  corporation. 

This  day  sold  to  Philip  Livingston,  Jun'r  all  the  va- 
cant ground  lying  in  the  first  ward  of  the  city  of  Albany 
on  the  plain  between  the  lott  of  ground  formerly  sold  to 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay  and  the  house  and  lott  of  ground 
now  in  possession  of  Andries  Bratt,  as  far  as  sd  Bratt's 
lott  extends  eastwards,  and  that  the  mayor  execute  a 
deed  for  the  same,  for  eighteen  pounds  to  be  paid  in  two 
payments,  the  first  on  the  first  day  of  July  1741,  and  the 


92  The  City  Records. 

other  on  the  first  day  of  July  1742,  for  which  sd  Living- 
ston is  to  give  notes. 

1740,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city,  this  being  the  day  for  electing  alder- 
men, assistants  arid  constables,  and  also  for  appointing 
a  chamberlain,  the  following  persons  were  chosen  and 
appointed : 

First  Ward — Gerrit  Van  Benthuysen,  Esq.  and  Joha's 
Marselis,  aldermen;  Robert  Lansing  and  Johan's  Van 
Veghte,  assistants;  Benjamin  Hilton  and  Isaac  Verplank, 
constables. 

Second  Ward — John  Cuylerand  JohnRoseboom,  Jun'r, 
Esq.,  aldermen;  John  Glen  and  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck, 
assistants;  Robert  Sanders  and  Philip  Hansen,  constables. 

Third  Ward — Rykaert  Hansen,  Esq.  and  Gerret  C. 
Vanden  Bergh,  aldermen ;  Anthony  Bratt  and  Simon 
Veeder,  assistants;  Johannis  Ja.  Lansing  and  Abraham 
Js.  Fonda,  constables. 

Johannis  Ten  Broeck  was  appointed  city  chamberlain 
for  the  year  ensuing. 

Richard  Martin  was  appointed  high  constable. 

1740,  Oct.  14.  This  day  sold  to  Barent  Bratt  a  piece 
of  ground  lying  in  the  foxes  creek  on  the  east  side  of  a 
lott  of  ground  formerly  sold  by  this  corporation  to  Jillis 
De  Garmoy,  Harmanus  Wendell,  David  Groesbeek  and 
Johannis  De  Garmoy,  and  stretches  from  the  said  lott 
along  the  creek  twenty-five  feet,  thence  southerly  with  a 
streight  line  ten  rodd,  thence  westerly  twenty-five  feet 
to  the  lott  of  ground  abovementioned,  thence  northerly 
along  said  lott  to  the  place  where  first  begun,  for  which 
he  is  to  pay  three  pounds  five  shillings  on  the  mayor's 
executing  a  deed  for  the  same.  Resolved  that  the  mayor 
for  the  time  being  shall  execute  to  sd  Bratt  a  deed  for  the 
said  lot  of  ground  and  cause  the  city  seal  to  be  thereunto 
affixed. 

It  appeared  to  this  board  that  Philip  Hansen  lives  in 
the  manor  of  Renselaerswyck,  it  is  ordered  that  the  per- 
son who  was  next  in  the  number  of  votes  be  sworn  con- 
stable. 


The  City  Records.  93 

It  also  appeared  that  Richard  Martin  is  Sub-sheriff, 
wherefore  Jacobus  Van  Benthuysen  was  appointed  High 
constable. 

1740,  Oct.  31 .  John  Schuyler  Jun'r,  Esq.  produced  to 
this  board  a  comission  under  the  broad  seal  of  the  Pro- 
vince of  New  York,  constituting  him  mayor  and  clerk  of 
the  market  for  the  city  of  Albany,  and  coroner  for  the 
city  and  county  of  Albany  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  took 
the  oaths  appointed  by  law  and  for  the  due  execution  of 
said  offices. 

1740,  pmo.  Nov.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  seal 
of  this  corporation  shall  not  be  affixed  to  any  deed  or 
any  other  instrument  whatsoever  except  in  comon  coun- 
cill. 

Johannis  Kidney  and  William  Hilton,  Jun'r  were  ap- 
pointed fire  masters  for  the  first  ward;  Dowe  Ja.  Fonda 
and  William  Guy  Vanden  Bergh  were  appointed  fire 
masters  for  the  second  ward;  Teunis  Vischerand  Johan- 
nis Yeates  were  appointed  fire  masters  for  the  third  ward. 

This  board  agreed  with  Joh's  Seger  and  Zacharias 
Ziekelse  to  be  Bellmen  for  the  year  ensueing,  to  cry  the 
hour  at  the  usual  places  every  night  from  ten  o'the  clock 
at  night  till  four  in  the  morning,  for  which  they  are  to 
have  the  same  sum  as  last  year,  but  if  they  perform  not 
their  parts  as  above,  then  it  is  agreed  they  shall  have 
nothing. 

1740,  Nov.  18.  Whereas  disputes  have  often  arisen 
concerning  the  votes  of  severall  persons  who  lodge  in  one 
ward  of  this  city  and  exercise  their  trade,  called  or  occu- 
pation in  another  ward,  it  is  Resolved  by  this  board  that 
all  such  persons  as  aforesaid  shall  for  the  future  chuse 
and  be  chosen  for  city  officers  in  the  ward  wherein  they 
use  their  calling,  trade  or  occupation  only,  and  not  where 
they  lodge  as  aforesaid. 

1740,  Dec.  27.     Upon  application  made  by  the  Revd 

Henry  Barclay  to  this  Board  for  a  parcell  land  lying  in 

the  Mohawks  country,  given  by  the  Indians  to  said  Mr. 

Barclay,  containing  about  9  or  10  morgans,  this  board 

[Annals,  x.]  9 


94  The  City  Records. 

resolves  that  a  deed  be  executed  to  the  said  Mr.  Barclay, 
his  heirs  and  assigns  for  sd  land  under  the  reserved  yearly 
rent  of  one  skiple  good  winter  wheat  per  morgan  after 
the  same  is  surveyed,  which  is  to  be  done  the  next  Spring. 

Ordered  that  a  warr1  be  drawn  on  the  chamberlain  to 
pay  Anthony  Bratt  fifteen  shillings. 

174-f ,  January  12.  A  Petition  of  Abra.  Lansingh,  Jun'r 
for  a  small  spot  of  ground  near  his  Father's  was  read, 
which  this  board  refers  to  farther  consideration. 

Ordered  that  the  block  house  near  Maritje  Gerritse's 
be  put  in  repair  to  keep  the  watch  in,  and  that  Isaac 
Bogaert  do  the  same. 

Resolved  that  this  corporation  find  wood  and  candles 
for  the  watch. 

1741,  April  7.  Resolved  that  the  treasurer  of  this 
city  send  down  money  to  pay  the  Quit  Rent  due  from 
the  city  for  their  Charter  and  the  Schaahkook  patent, 
and  that  a  rec'  be  taken  for  the  same  to  25th  March  last. 

1741,  April  24.  Ordered  that  the  clerk  write  to  Mr. 
Nicolaes  Schuyler  to  come  down  to  survey  lands  for  this 
city  at  Schaahkook. 

Ordered  that  the  clerk  put  two  advertisements  that 
this  corporation  design  to  put  out  the  new  Pasture  on 
the  hill  in  small  parcels  for  a  term  of  years,  and  that  all 
persons  inclined  to  take  any  of  the  same  may  come  and 
agree  with  the  Comon  Council  this  day  week. 

1741,  April  27.  Resolved  and  agreed  with  Mr.  Nico- 
laes Schuyler  to  run  round  the  bounds  of  Schaahkook 
patent  and  the  release  from  the  patentees  of  Saraghtoge 
to  the  city,  and  that  he  makes  a  draught  of  the  same,  for 
which  he  is  to  have  twelve  pounds. 

Resolved  that  Richd  Hansen,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Anthony 
Bratt  go  with  Mr.  Schuyler. 

1741,  May  8.  Resolved  that  this  corporation  make  a 
present  of  eight  pounds  to  the  church  at  Schaahkook,  and 
that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the  chamberlain  to  pay 
the  same  to  Mr.  Lewis  Viele,  -  -  -  £8:0:0 

That  Johan's  Seger  be  allowed  for  his  ser- 
vices for  Bellman  for  6  months,     -         -         -         8:6:  0 


The  City  Records.  95 

Zacharias  Ziekelse  for  do.  service,     •     •  8:6:  0 
That  Anthony  Bratt  be  allowed  for  his  ser- 
vices on  the  survey  to  Schaahkook,  for  7  days 

at  6s.  per  day, 2:2:  0 

To  his  Son  at  3s. 1:1:  0 

That  Richard  Hansen,  Esq.  be  allowed  for 

his  attendance  on  the  survey  7  days  at  6s.     •  2:2:  0 

for  his  Negro  man  at  3s.  -         •  1:1:  0 

for  Butter  bought  at  Schaahkook,     -       -  0:2:11 

£31:0:11 

Resolved  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  to  pay  the  same. 

This  day  sold  to  Everf  Sixbury  the  lott  of  ground 
lately  belonging  to  Abraham  Vosburgh,  for  £26:  £6 
ready  money  and  the  remaining  £20  in  4  years,  with  an 
annual  reserve  of  3s.  per  annum. 

1741,  August  25.  An  ordinance  was  published,  viz1: 
Be  it  ordained  by  the  worshipfull  mayor,  aldermen  and 
commonality  of  the  city  of  Albany,  in  Comon  Council 
conveen'd,  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  of 
the  same,  That  whereas  disputes  have  arisen  in  this  city 
concerning  the  electing  of  constables  within  the  same, 
and  it  appears  to  us  that  it  is  necessary  that  two  con- 
stables be  yearly  chosen  in  each  ward  within  the  same, 
it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  on 
the  twenty-ninth  day  of  September  next  shall  be  chosen 
in  each  respective  ward  within  this  city  two  petty  con- 
stables, of  which  the  aldermen  present  shall  make  their 
return  with  the  rest  of  the  officers.  Dated  in  Albany, 
ye  25th  August,  1741. 

1741,  Sept.  25.  This  day  a  Corporation  Law  was 
made  to  prevent  masters  of  vessells  from  bringing  stran- 
gers into  this  city  without  giveing  due  notice.  Vide  Book 
of  ordinances. 

1741,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city,  this  being  the  day  for  electing  alder- 
men, assistants  and  constables,  and  also  for  appointing 
a  chamberlain,  the  following  persons  were  chosen  and 
appointed: 


96  The  City  Records. 

First  Ward — Johannis  Marselis  and  Hendrick  Cuyler, 
aldermen ;  Robert  Lansingh  and  John  Van  Veghte,  assist- 
ants ;  John  Williams  and  Henry  Ten  Broeck,  constables. 
Second  Ward — John  Roseboom,  Jun'r  and  Jacob  Ten 
Eyck,  aldermen;  John  Glen  and  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck, 
assistants ;  Philip  Hansen  and  Abraham  Lansingh,  Jun'r, 
constables. 

Third  Ward—Gerret  C.  Van  den  Bergh  and  Gerret 
Lansingh,  aldermen,  Anthony  Brat  and  Simon  Veeder, 
assistants;  Gerret  G.  Lansing,  Jun'r  and  Cornelis  Guys. 
Van  den  Bergh,  constables. 

Joh's  Ten  Broeck  was  chosen  and  appointed  city  cham- 
berlain for  the  year  ensueing  and  ordered  to  enter  into 
security  as  usual. 

Joh's  Seger  was  appointed  marshal  for  the  ensueing 
year. 

1741,  Nov.  12.  The  following  persons  were  appointed 
fire  masters  for  the  year  ensueing: 

First  Ward— Robert  Barret,  Joh's  M.  Flensburgh. 
Second  Ward — Nicolaes  Bleeker,  Jun'r,  Jacob  Glen. 
Third  Ward — Jan  Winne,  Harme  Huri. 
1741,  Nov.  23.     John  Depeyster,  Esq.  produced  to  this 
board  a  cornission  under  the  great  Seal  of  the  Province 
of  New  York  constituting  him  mayor  and  clerk  of  the 
market  of  the  city  of  Albany,   and  coroner  for  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany  for  this  ensueing  year,  and  took 
the  oaths  by  law  appointed  and  for  the  due  execution  of 
his  respective  offices. 

Mr.  Depeyster  being  sworn,  the  Comon  Councill  re- 
solves that  the  city  seal  shall  not  be  affixed  to  any  in- 
strument except  in  Comon  Councill,  lycences  to  tavern 
keepers  only  excepted. 

1741,  Nov.  28.  Resolved  that  the  chamberlain  sell 
the  remainder  of  the  city's  wheat  in  his  custody  to  the 
poorer  sort  of  people  at  4s.  per  sk.  ready  money  and  not 
above  3  sk.  to  one  family,  and  when  they  are  supplyed 
to  sell  the  remainder  at  4s.  9d.  to  other  persons  and  not 
above  3  sk.  to  one  person,  and  that  he  do  not  sell  the 
same  till  Tuesday  in  the  afternoon. 


The  City  Records.  97 

The  corporation  agreed  with  Johannis  Seger  for  his 
service  in  cutting  firewood,  making  fire  and  warming  the 
six  watches  of  volunteers  from  the  15th  January  last,  till 
the  15th  January  next,  for  £9  and  1  pr.  shoes  and  at  the 
same  rate  for  shorter  or  longer  time. 

1741,  Dec.  15.     Ordered  that  the  clerk  draw  a  war- 
rant to  Joh's  Ten  Broeck,  city  chamberlain,  to  pay  Job's 
Seger  the  sum  of  one  pound  ten  shillings. 

Ordered  that  the  clerk  make  out  a  writt  agl  John  Bor- 
ghaert  and  Ryck1  Hanseii,  and  sign  the  same  in  behalf  of 
the  Comon  Council!. 

This  board  make  a  calculation  of  what  Stockadoes 
were  wanting,  and  desired  each  inhabitant,  by  their 
marshal,  to  ride  a  certain  number  in  case  of  need. 

174J,  Jan'y  16.  Agreed  that  Johannis  Wyngaert  sup- 
ply the  watch  kept  in  the  first  ward  of  this  city  with  fire 
wood  at  2s.  6d.  per  load,  to  be  delivered  at  the  block 
house.  That  Guilleyn  Verplank  supply  the  watch  kept 
in  the  second  ward  at  the  same  rate,  and  Anthony  Bratt 
the  w.atch  kept  in  the  third  ward. 

The  following  clause  was  added  to  the  ordinance  for 
the  due  observation  of  the  Lord's  day  and  the  regulating 
of  negro  slaves:  Be  it  further  ordained,  by  the  authority 
af*,  that  no  person  or  persons,  whether  free  or  slave,  of 
age  or  not  of  age,  shall  presume  to  fetch  water  out  of  the 
river  or  any  of  the  wells  or  fountains  within  this  city  in 
time  of  divine  service  or  preaching  on  the  Lord's  day, 
upon  penalty  of  one  shilling,  to  be  paid  by  the  master, 
mistress  or  parents  of  such  slaves,  bondmen  or  children 
as  shall  presume  to  transgress  this  law,  or  else  to  be  put 
in  the  stocks  not  exceeding  six  hours;  to  be  recovered  or 
punished  before  the  mayor,  recorder  or  any  one  of  the 
aldermen  of  this  city  for  the  use  of  the  constable  or  any 
other  person  complaining  of  the  same. 

1742,  March  29.     The  mayor  laid  before  this  board  a 
Letter  from  his  Hon'r  the  Lieu1  Gov'r,  desiring  him  to 
request  the  corporation  to  pay  the  cartidge  of  some  canon 
and  other  warlike    stores    sent   from   New  York  to  this 
place  for  the  use  of  the  fort,  not  doubting  but  the  Assem- 


98  The  City  Records. 

bly  at  their  next  meeting  will  allow  and  repay  the  same. 

Resolved  that  the  above  cartidge  be  paid  out  of  the 
money  belonging  to  this  corporation,  and  that  the  charge 
thereof  be  laid  before  the  Assembly  at  their  next  meeting. 

Resolved  that  Alderman  Roseboom  and  Aldermen  Van 
den  Bergh  take  an  accd  of  the  stores  abovementioned. 

Resolved  that  the  block  house  in  the  first  ward,  near 
the  house  of  Joh's  Wyngaert,  be  put  in  repair. 

1742,  April  26.  This  board  agreed  with  John  Bell  to 
be  public  whipper  for  this  city.  To  whip  all  offenders 
when  and  as  often  as  he  shall  be  thereunto  required  by 
the  authority  of  this  city,  for  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds 
per  annum,  to  be  paid  each  half  year;  he  is  also  to  whip 
the  slaves  of  any  person,  when  desired,  for  the  customary 
fees,  his  time  to  commence  pmo.  May,  and  if  he  does  not 
execute  said  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  this  corporation, 
then  to  be  paid  off  by  the  time  pro  rato. 

1742,  May  8.  Ordered  that  the  treasurer  pay  Jacob 
Ten  Eyck,  Esq.  two  pounds  for  60  boards  which  he 
bought  for  the  use  of  a  block  house  and  2s.  6d.  for  J  a 
gall.  Rum,  and  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the 
treasurer  to  pay  the  same. 

Ordered  that  the  treasurer  pay  John  Roseboom,  Jun'r, 
Esq.  one  pound  two  shillings  and  eight  pence  for  an  ace1 
of  sundries,  and  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the 
treasurer  to  pay  it. 

Ordered  that  the  treasurer  sell  50  sk.  wheat  belonging 
to  this  corporation,  at  3s.  6d.  per  sk.  to  poor  people,  3  sk. 
to  a  family,  and  only  to  such  as  have  a  note  from  the 
mayor,  recorder  or  any  of  the  aldermen. 

This  board  agreed  with  Johannis  Flensburgh  to  sett  up 
300  Stockadoes,  to  dig  and  put  them  in  the  ground  as 
usual,  to  fix  them  to  laths  and  sqare  them  as  they  ought 
to  be,  and  not  to  leave  on  any  of  the  bark. 

1742,  May  13.  Whereas  the  Bakers  of  this  city  have 
made  complaint  to  this  board  that  they  can  not  afford 
their  bread  according  to  the  ordinance  published  on  the 
26  ultimo,  therefore  this  board  have  taken  it  into  consid- 
eration and  agree  that  the  Bakers  make  their  bread  of 


The  City  Records.  99 

the  weight  and  for  the  price  hereunder-raentioned:  A  loaf 
of  the  finest  flour  to  weigh  1  Ib.  for  2d.  A  loaf  of  do.  2 
Ib.  for  4d.  A  wheaten  loaf,  the  coursest  bran  only  taken 
out,  to  weigh  3  Ib  for  4d.  Do.  6  Ib.  for  8d. 

1742,  Aug.  21.  This  board  sold  to  Isaac  Fryer  apiece 
of  ground  lying  upon  the  plain  behind  his  lott,  for  which 
he  is  to  pay  five  pounds  when  the  deed  is  executed  for 
the  same  and  five  pounds  a  year  after,  for  which  last  five 
pounds  he  is  to  give  his  note,  and  he  is  to  pay  for  the 
deed.  The  deed  is  to  be  executed  the  next  fall  and  the 
mayor  is  to  execute  the  same  in  behalf  of  the  corporation 
and  to  fix  the  seal  thereto. 

1742,  August  28.  This  board  agreed  with  William 
Bromley,  that  he  should  have  the  house  upon  the  Gallows 
hill  in  which  Samuel  Drury  now  lives,  for  one  year,  for 
which  he  is  to  pay  ten  shillings  and  to  keep  the  house, 
stable  and  fence  in  good  repair. 

This  board  appointed  Gerret  C.  Vanden  Bergh  and 
Johannis  Van  Veghten  to  go  with  the  Jury  who  are  to 
view  the  premises  in  the  action  of  the  corporation  ag1 
Barnardus  Bratt,  and  that  they  hire  a  Battoe  and  hands 
to  carry  up  some  evidences  and  necessarys  for  the  Jury, 
and  they  are  to  gett  provisions  at  Simon  Daniels's,  for 
which  they  are  to  be  paid  and  likewise  for  their  trouble, 
what  is  reasonable. 

A  petition  of  Luykas  Job's  Wyngaert  was  read,  pray- 
ing to  purchase  from  this  corporation  a  piece  of  ground 
lying  to  the  westward  of  a  lott  formerly  sold  by  this  cor- 
poration to  Barent  Sanders,  in  the  first  ward  of  the  city 
near  Evert  Wendell's  house,  which  this  board  takes  into 
consideration  and  think  it  inconvenient  to  sell  the  same, 
as  being  too  near  the  Fort. 

1742,  Sept.  21.  This  board  allowed  Johannis  Flens- 
burgh  the  sum  of  sixteen  pounds  two  shillings  in  full  for 
an  account  of  £16:6:10,  and  five  shillings  for  another 
account  to  said  Flensburgh  and  ordered  that  the  clerk 
draw  an  order  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  the  same. 

This  board  agreed  with  Jacobus  Kidney  for  a  piece  of 
ground  lying  and  being  in  the  first  ward  of  this  city,  on 


100  The  City  Records. 

the  plain  behind  or  to  the  northward  of  the  lott  of  ground 
on  which  he  now  lives,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  ten  pounds 
eleaven  shillings  and  the  mayor  is  to  execute  a  deed  for 
the  same  in  behalf  of  this  corporation,  for  which  said 
Jacobus  Kidney  is  to  pay  and  for  writing  the  same. 

1742,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city,  this  being  the  day  appointed  for 
electing  aldermen  and  assistants  and  constables,  and  also 
for  appointing  a  chamberlain  and  marshal,  the  following 
persons  were  chosen  and  appointed: 

First  Ward — Hendrick  Cuyler  and  John  Marselis, 
aldermen;  John  Van  Veghten  and  Robert  Lansingh,  as- 
sistants; Peter  Jones  and  Joseph  Yates,  constables. 

Second  Ward — John  Roseboora,  Jun'r  arid  Jacob  Ten 
Eyck,  aldermen ;  John  H.  Ten  Eyck  and  John  R.  Bleeker, 
assistants. 

Third  Ward — Gerret  C.  Van  den  Bergh  and  Gerret 
Lansingh,  aldermen;  Anthony  Bratt  and  Gerardus  Groes- 
beek,  assistants;  John  Wittbeek  and  John  Gansevoort, 
constables. 

Johannis  Ten  Broeck  was  appointed  chamberlain. 

John  Witbeek  was  appointed  high  constable  and  Jo- 
hannis Seger  was  appointed  marshal  for  the  year  ensue- 
ing. 

1742,  Sept.  30.  The  following  ordinance  was  pub- 
lished : 

Whereas  the  ordinance  formerly  made  by  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonality  of  this  city  for  the  electing  two 
constables  in  each  ward  of  the  city  is  expired  by  its  own 
limitation,  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  mayor,  aldermen 
and  comonalty  of  this  city  that  on  the  29th  day  of  Sep- 
tember next  shall  be  chosen  in  each  of  the  wards  of  this 
city  two  petty  constables,  of  which  the  aldermen  of  each 
ward  or  any  of  them  shall  make  their  return  with  the 
rest  of  the  city  officers. 

And  whereas  the  inhabitants  of  the  second  ward  of 
this  city  have  neglected  to  chuse  constables  on  the  29th 
instant,  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
that  the  aldermen  of  the  said  ward  shall  to-morrow,  be- 


The  City  Records.  101 

ing  the  first  day  of  October,  hold  an  election  for  two 
petty  constables  for  said  ward,  and  the  persons  that  shall 
then  be  chosen  and  elected,  shall  be  obliged  to  serve  the 
said  office  as  well  as  if  they  had  been  chosen  on  the  29th 
September  aforesaid. 

And  l>e  it  further  ordained  that  for  the  future,  upon 
the  death,  removal  out  of  the  city,  refusall  to  serve,  or 
other  disability  hapning  to  any  constable  or  constables, 
who  are  already  or  shall  hereafter  be  elected  for  the  city 
of  Albany,  that  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonality  in 
Comon  Council  convened,  shall  order  and  appoint  such 
convenient  time  as  they  shall  think  proper  throughout 
the  year  for  the  inhabitants  of  said  city  in  such  respective 
ward  or  wards  where  such  vacancy  shall  happen,  to  meet 
together  and  make  another  election  untill  the  usuall 
time  for  electing,  which  inhabitants  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  make  such  election  in  manner  and  form  as  is  used 
in  the  anneversary  election,  and  which  constable  or  con- 
stables so  chosen  and  elected  shall  be  chosen  and  have 
power  to  execute  their  respective  offices  as  fully  and  in 
like  manner  as  if  they  had  been  elected  and  sworn  at  the 
anneversary  election. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
that  if  any  person  or  persons  that  are  or  hereafter  shall 
be  elected  to  serve  as  constable,  and  shall  neglect  or  re- 
fuse to  serve  in  the  same  office  shall  pay  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding five  pounds  fine,  and  if  any  person  that  is  or 
hereafter  shall  be  appointed  high  constable  by  this  cor- 
poratitfn  and  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  serve  in  said  office, 
he  shall  also  pay  a  sum  not  exceeding  five  pounds,  and 
upon  refusall  to  pay  the  said  money  that  then  it  shall  be 
levied  by  distress  on  the  goods  and  chatties  of  the  person 
so  neglecting  or  refusing  to  serve,  by  warrant  of  the 
mayor  under  the  seal  of  this  city,  directed  to  any  or  all 
the  constables  of  this  city;  which  fine  shall  be  paid  to  the 
treasurer  of  this  city  for  the  publick  use  of  the  same. 
Dated  in  Albany  the  30th  September,  in  the  sixteenth 
year  of  his  Maj's  reign,  1742. 

1742,  Oct.  4.     This  board  sold  Jacobus  Hilton  a  piece 


102  The  City  Records. 

of  ground  lying  in  the  first  ward  of  this  city  on  the  plains 
behind  the  lott  on  which  he  now  lives,  for  which  he  is  to 
pay  at  the  same  rate  that  Isaac  Fryer  agreed  for  his,  and 
the  mayor  is  to  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and  affix  the 
city  seal  thereto  in  behalf  of  this  corporation. 

This  board  agreed  with  Robert  Lansingh  to  keep  the 
fire  Engine  in  order  and  repair  at  26s.  per  annum. 

This  board  appointed  the  mayor,  recorder,  Gerret 
Vanden  Bergh  and  Jacob  Ten  Eyck  a  committee  to  ad- 
vise with  the  attorneys  about  the  law  suit  with  Barnar- 
dus  Bratt. 

1742,  Oct.  6.  This  board  allowed  a  sum  to  shingle 
every  market  house  in  this  city,  such  a  sum  as  will  be 
requisite  to  do  the  same,  provided  it  does  not  exceed 
eight  pounds  to  each  market  house. 

The  Comon  Councill  ordered  that  Hendrick  Van  Ness 
be  reimbursed  for  what  he  advanced  at  New  York  for  an 
examplification  of  a  patent  granted  by  Collo.  Ingoldby  to 
Eghbert  Teunisse,  &c. 

This  board  Resolved  that  a  street  shall  remain  for  the 
publick  use  of  this  city  to  the  north  of  the  house  and  lott 
of  Abraham  Lansingh  in  the  second  ward  of  this  city, 
the  whole  length  of  his  lott,  the  street  to  be  45  broad. 

1742,  Oct.  14.  Cornelius  Cuyler,  Esq.  produced  to 
this  board  a  comission  under  the  great  Seal  of  the  Pro- 
vince of  New  York,  constituting  him  mayor  and  clerk  of 
the  market  for  the  city  of  Albany  and  coroner  for  the 
city  and  county  of  Albany  for  the  year  ensueing  year,  and 
took  the  oaths  by  law  appointed  and  for  the  due  execu- 
tion of  his  respective  offices. 

1742,  Oct.  28.  John  Depeyster,  Esq.  delivered  to  the 
present  mayor  the  city  papers  and  seal,  except  three  pa- 
pers which  he  says  are  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Benj.  Nicoll, 
and  a  copy  of  an  Indian  Purchase  of  Saraghtoge ;  the 
deeds  Mr.  Nicolls  are  viz : 

From  Mr.  Henry  V.  Renselaer  to  the  corporation  for 
lands  at  Schaahkook,  dated  18th  AugS  1699. 

A  Patent  from  Gov'r  Fletcher  to  sd  Renselaer,  dated 
29th  March,  1698. 


The  City  Records.  103 

A  Deed  from  Simon  Danielse  for  rent  of  a  Water  Run, 
dated  28  feb.  171;;. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  city  Seal  shall  not  be 
affixed  to  any  instrument  relating  to  the  Comon  Council 
of  this  city  or  to  which  they  are  parties,  except  in  Comon 
Councill. 

Agreed  with  Leendert  Gansevoort  for  the  fore  part  of 
his  house  in  the  third  ward  of  this  city  with  the  appur- 
tenances thereunto  belonging,  from  this  time  to  the  first 
day  of  May  next,  for  40s.  and  he  to  pay  the  tax. 

This  board  resolves  to  drink  the  King's  health  on  Sat- 
urday next  at  the  house  of  John  Waters. 

1742,  Nov.  16.  Ordered  that  the  clerk  draw  a  war- 
rant on  the  treasurer  to  pay  John  Depeyster,  Esq.  two 
pounds  for  so  much  money  Hendrick  Van  Ness  paid  at 
New  York  for  the  use  of  the  corporation  for  an  exampli- 
fication  of  a  patent  granted  to  Eghbert  Teunise,  &c. 

Ordered  likewise  that  the  clerk  draw  a  warrant  on  the 
treasurer  to  pay  Peter  Winne,  Esq.  five  shillings  for  so 
much  he  paid  for  the  copy  of  an  Act  of  Assembly. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  fire  masters  for 
theensueing  year: 

First  Ward— Sybrant  A.  Van  Schaick  and  Gerret  Joh's 
Lansing. 

Second  Ward — Robert  Sanders  and  Barent  Ten  Eyck. 

Third  Ward — Jacob  Jo.  Groesbeek  and  Eghbert  B. 
Eghbertse. 

1742,  Nov.  27.  Mr.  Nicolls  delivered  to  the  mayor 
the  four  written  instruments  mentioned  in  the  minutes 
ye  28  October  last. 

The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to  his  Honour  the 
Lieut.  Governour: 

May  it  please  your  Hon'r, 

Sir — Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  an  Act  of  Generall 
Assembly  of  this  Province,  we  transmitt  to  your  Honour  a 
draft  of  the  city  of  Albany  for  your  Honour's  approbation 
which  was  delivered  to  us  according  to  the  directions  of 
said  act  by  the  gentlemen  by  whose  direction  the  same  • 
was  made,  we  desire  if  your  Honour  approve  of  the  same 


104  The  City  Records. 

that  you  would  be  pleased  to  signify  your  approbation 
as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be,  that  we  proceed  therein 
as  the  sd  Act  directs.  We  are. 

This  board  allowed  Johannis  Seger  10s.  for  his  and  his 
two  sons'  trouble  in  chain  bearing,  and  order  the  clerk 
to  draw  an  order  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  the  same. 
•  .1742,  Dec.  24.  This  board  rec'd  a  Letter  from  his 
Honour  the  Lieut.  Governour  in  answer  to  theirs  of  the 
27th  of  last  month,  wherein  he  approves  of  the  draft  of 
the  city  of  Albany  then  sent  down  to  him. 

1742,  Dec.  28.  This  board  doth  compute  that  four 
thousand  Stockadoes  are  wanting  and  necessary  to  be 
gotten  in  order  for  the  finishing  and  completing  the  forti- 
fications of  this  city. 

Guyleyn  Verplank  petitioned  for  a  pice  of  ground  in 
the  foxes  creek;  this  board  resolved  that  said  petition 
be  taken  into  consideration  at  a  future  meeting. 

This  board  allowed  Johannis  Flensburgh  an  account  of 
3  new  chairs  and  mending  some  old,  the  sum  of  11s.  7Jd. 
and  order  the  clerk  to  draw  an  order  on  the  chamberlain 
to  pay  the  same. 

Johannis  Wittbeek,  who  was  chosen  one  of  the  consta- 
bles for  the  third  ward  of  this  city  being  dead,  this  board 
order  that  the  aldermen  of  said  ward  do  keep  an  election 
for  another  constable  for  said  ward  on  Friday  next  at  the 
usual  place. 

This  board  allowed  Is.  6d.  to  Hester  Beekman  for  J 
days  work  of  her  Negro  man  and  order  the  clerk  to  draw 
an  order  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  the  same. 

174§,  January  6.  This  board  Resolved  that  the  cham- 
berlain write  to  the  persons  hereunder  named  to  come 
and  pay  what  they  owe  to  the  corporation  by  the  first  of 
February  next,  which  if  they  neglect  to  do,  then  the 
mayor  order  them  to  be  prosecuted  for  the  same:  Jochim 
Ketelhuyn,  Philip  Winne,  Arent  Vandyck,  Dowe  Fonda, 
Maria  Winne,  Marte  Dellemont,  Jochem  Ketelhuyn,  Pe- 
ter Benneway,  Peter  Doxy,  Leend1  Van  Veghten,  Hugo 
Viele,  Peter  Viele,  Volkert  Douwe. 

174f ,  March  9.     Anthony  Bratt   designing  in  a  few 


The  City  Records.  105 

days  to  go  to  Schaahkook,  this  board  agreed  with  him 
to  view  some  loggs  that  Abraham  Fort  has  cutt  there  on 
the  lands  belonging  to  this  corporation  with  order,  and 
the  loggs  that  Harme  Van  Veghten  has  cutt  without 
order,  and  that  he  tell  the  said  Veghten  that  unless  he 
pays  Is.  3d.  for  each  logg,  he  must  expect  to  be  putt  to 
trouble. 

Prdered  that  sd  Bratt  have  3  sk.  wheat  for  his  trouble 
herein. 

174§,  March  16.  Simon  Danielse  presented  a  petition 
to  this  board  for  a  piece  of  land  at  Schaahkook  and  a 
run  of  water,  he  being  inolined  to  purchase  the  same, 
which  this  board  refers  for  farther  consideration. 

Mr.  Bratt  being  returned  from  Schaahkook,  says  that 
Harme  and  Teunis  Van  Veghten  have  cutt  62  saw  loggs 
in  the  city's  right  and  Abraham  Fort  about  80.  This 
board  resolves  that  the  mayor  take  from  them  one  shil- 
ling for  each  logg. 

Teunis  Van  Veghten  informed  this  board  that  Abra- 
ham Fort  has  cutt  97  saw  loggs  in  the  city's  right. 

174J,  March  18.  Harme  Van  Veghten,  Teunis  Van 
Veghten  and  Marte  Winne  petitioned  this  board  for  pri- 
viledge  to  build  a  mill  on  the  second  fall  on  Tamhenick 
creek  at  Schaakook  and  to  cutt  saw  loggs  in  the  city's 
Fight,  which  priviledges  they  incline  to  hire  from  sd  city. 

This  board  agreed  with  Harme  Van  Veghten,  Teunis 
Van  Veghten  and  Marte  Winne  for  priviledge  to  build  a 
saw  mill  on  Tamhenick  creek  at  the  second  fall  on  said 
creek,  with  priviledge  of  the  water  Run  on  said  creek  as 
is  necessary  for  said  mill,  also  priviledge  to  ly  their  saw 
loggs  and  boards  convenient  near  the  mill  and  priviledge 
to  cutt  400  saw  loggs  yearly  on  the  lands  belonging  to 
the  said  city,  which  priviledge  they  and  their  heirs  andJ 
assigns  to  have  from  this  day  for  twenty  years  to  come, 
they  or  their  heirs,  executors,  adm'rs  paying  for  the  same- 
yearly  to  this  corporation  ten  pounds,  the  first  payment 
to  bo  made  the  18th  day  of  March,  174  J.  They  are  not 
to  saw  more  than  the  said  400  loggs  yearly  on  the  said- 

[Annals,  x.]  10 


106 


The  City  Records. 


mill,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  20  years  the  mill  with 
all  the  appurtenances  are  to  belong  to  this  corporation 
in  the  same  order  it  is  in  before  they  saw  the  last  loggs 
upon  it;  and  in  case  the  said  saw  mill  should  happen  to 
come  down,  they  or  their  heirs  or  assigns  shall  have  leave 
to  build  a  new  one  under  the  same  restrictions  and  rent 
that  is  abovementioned,  and  that  as  often  as  any  such 
accident  shall  happen,  that  they  are  to  pay  the  tax  for 
said  mill  during  the  said  20  years.  That  in  case  of 
a  French  or  Indian  war,  so  that  they  can't  saw  loggs 
upon  said  mill,  they  are  not  to  pay  any  rent  during  such 
time. 

Teunis  Van  Veghten  petitioned  for  a  piece  of  land  at 
Schaahkook,  which  was  referred  to  farther  consideration. 
1743,  April  11.  Mr.  Roseboom  and  Mr.  Bratt  having 
been  at  Schaahkook  to  view  a  parcell  land  petitioned  for 
by  Simon  Danielse  and  another  by  Teunis  Van  Veghten, 
bring  their  returns  of  the  same  upon  paper. 

The  clerk  was  ordered  to 
draw  on  the  Treas'r  to  pay  the 
foll'g  sums: 

To  Mr.  Ed.  Collins  for  a  fee 
agl  Ja.  Glen  abl  the  Court 
house,        -        -        ,£1:10 
To  Job's  Myndertse  for 

iron  work  to  the  stocks,      7 
To  Mr.  Roseboom  and 
Mr.  Bratt  for  going  to 
Schaachkook  to  view 
lands,  each  20s.      -      2:  0 

£3:17 

1743,  April  20.  This  board  sold  Simon  Danielse  a 
piece  of  ground  lying  at  Schaahkook,  containing  about 
25  morgans,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  ten  pounds  upon  ex- 
ecuting of  the  deed,  and  twelve  skiple  of  good  merchant- 
able Winter  wheat  yearly  for  ever,  on  the  20th  April, 
the  first  payment  to  be  made  the  20th  April  1746;  he  is 
also  to  pay  for  the  deeds.  He  is  not  to  make  any  other 


The  City  Records.  107 

mill  on  the  crek  q1.  within  the  bounds  of  this  land  than  a 
Griss  mill  and  not  to  boalt  any  flour  ground  on  said  mill 
for  sale. 

This  board  drew  up  a  Petition  to  the  members  of  the 
Assemby  in  General  Assembly  convened,  viz1: 

The  Humble  petition,  &c.,  Humbly  sheweth, 

That  whereas  your  Petitioners  by  an  Act  of  the 
General  Assembly  passed  in  the  present  sixteenth  year 
of  his  majesties  reign,  were  impowered  to  assess  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  Stockadoes  on  the  inhabitants  of  this 
city  and  to  put  the  same  in  a  posture  of  defence,  your 
petitioners  have  accordingly  in  every  article  proceeded 
according  to  the  directions  of  the  said  Act,  as  far  as  their 
ability  reaches,  but  your  Petitioners  beg  leave  to  repre- 
sent to  the  Honourable  House  the  great  hardships  they 
labour  under,  being  oblidged  by  the  said  Act  to  make  all 
the  necessary  fortifications  directed  by  the  same  at  the 
charge  of  the  city  only,  which  we  declare  we  are  not  able 
to  do,  and  therefore  pray  the  the  Hon'ble  House  to  con- 
sider how  very  reasonable  it  is  that  the  county  of  Albany 
at  least  should  assist  this  city,  which  is  really  the  fron- 
tier of  all  North  America,  and  it  is  very  plain  and  evi- 
dent that  this  is  the  only  place  if  fortifyed  as  it  ought  to 
be,  that  must  and  can  protect  the  people  of  the  county 
with  their  wives  and  children  in  case  of  a  french  war, 
and  prevent  the  enemy  from  overrunning  the  whole 
country,  which  must  evidently  be  the  case  if  the  city  is 
left  defenceless. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  the  Honourable 
House  to  take  into  consideration  and  to  pass  an  Act, 
that  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds  be  raised  as  speedy 
as  may  be,  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  and  county 
of  Albany  (except  Schinechtady  and  the  Mohawks  river) 
in  the  same  proportion  as  the  quota  was  last  year  divided, 
to  enable  your  petitioners  to  proceed  in  the  fortifying  the 
said  city,  which  said  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds  will 
however  come  very  far  short  of  what  will  be  wanted. 

1743,  April  21.  This  board  compounded  with  Maria 
Winne  for  160  sk.  wheat  she  ows  this  corporation,  for 


108  The  City  Records. 

which  they  have  agreed  to  take  £18,  for  which  sum  her 
son  Marte  Winne  has  passed  his  bond  payable  in  two 
years. 

1743,  May  3.  This  board  ordered  the  clerk  to  draw 
an  order  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  to  Kiliaen  Van  Kense- 
laer  £1 3: 12:3,  for  a  p.  of  ground  he  sold  to  this  corpora- 
tion, lying  near  the  Dutch  church: 

Ordered  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the  treasurer 
to  pay  John  Bell  £6,  for  the  last  half  year  service  as 
publick  whipper,  to  the  first  instant. 

This  board  agreed  with  John  Bell  for  the  year  ensue- 
ing  to  be  publick  whipper  upon  the  same  terms  he  agreed 
last  year  for  twelve  pounds,  and  said  Bell  agreed  with 
this  board  that  they  pay  £3:10  of  his  salary  for  the  year 
to  come  to  Mr.  Depeyster,  and  £1:10  to  Jacob  Ten  Eyck, 
and  to  Elizabeth  Van  Olinda  £3  for  house  hire  for  the 
year  to  come  for  said  Bell,  and  that  their  respective  rec'ts 
shall  be  a  discharge  to  the  corporation  for  so  much  of 
his  salary  as  those  sums  amount  to. 

1743,  June  18.  This  board  allowed  an  ace1  of  Leendert 
Gansevoort  for  a  barrel  beer,  18s.  and  for  house  hire  40s. 
and  ordered  the  clerk  to  draw  an  order  on  the  treasurer 
to  pay  the  same. 

1743,  June  20.  This  board  ordered  the  clerk  to  draw 
an  order  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  Schiboleth  Bogardus  6s. 
Johannis  Knickerbacker  for  his  trouble  to  come  down 
from  Schaachkook,  12s.,  and  to  Anthony  Bratt  9s.  for 
his  trouble  to  fetch  down  said  Knickerbacker. 

The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to  Collo.  Philip 
Schuler: 

Collo.  Schuyler:  Sir — Although  severall  complaints 
have  been  made  to  you  as  Colonel,  that  most  of  the 
watches  in  this  city  are  very  negligently  kept,  and  some 
do  not  watch  at  all,  and  it  was  hoped  you  would  have 
given  the  necessary  orders  herein,  yet  no  orders  have 
been  given,  we  are  of  opinion  that  if  stricter  orders  are 
not  given  to  the  Captains,  that  you  had  better  order 
them  to  give  over  watching  entirely,  that  we  might  know 
what  we  have  to  depend  on,  and  take  the  necessary  reso- 


The  City  Records.  109 

lutions  accordingly.  We  desire  you  will  signify  your 
intentions  herein.  We  are. 

1743,  June  30.  The  mayor  executed  a  deed  to  Symon 
Danielse  for  a  piece  of  ground  at  Schaahkook,  sold  him 
20th  April  last. 

1743,  July  12.  This  board  ordered  the  mayor  to  ex- 
ecute a  deed  to  Jacobus  Hilton  for  a  piece  of  ground  sold 
him  by  this  corporation  on  the  4th  of  October  last,  being 
broad  twelve  feet  ten  inches  and  an  half  English  measure, 
and  the  same  length  as  expressed  in  the  minutes  of  that 
day  and  bounded  in  the  same  manner,  wherefore  he  is  to 
pay  four  pounds  twelve  shillings. 

Resolved  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the  chamber- 
lain to  pay  Cornelia  Schuyler  £1:19:2,  for  the  ballance 
of  an  ace1  of  her  husband,  deceased,  and  2s.  to  Cornelius 
Bogaert. 

1743,  July  13.  Resolved  that  this  board  allow  £6 
towards  repairing  a  well  near  the  English  church  in  the 
first  ward  and  laying  a  drain  from  the  spring  near  the 
fort,  which  is  to  be  paid  to  Hend'k  Cuyler  when  the  work 
is  done.  The  work  is  to  be  finished  before  the  first  of 
October  next. 

This  board  Resolved  that  the  aldermen  of  the  second 
ward  order  a  drain  to  be  made  in  the  street  from  oppo- 
site to  the  house  of  Jacob  Ten  Eyck  to  the  street  at  Ger- 
rit  Marselius  house,  at  the  charge  of  the  corporation. 

Resolved  that  a  bridge  near  the  house  of  Mrs.  Kitchiner 
be  repaired  at  the  charge  of  the  corporation. 

1743,  July  30.  Robert  Lansing  was  appointed  the 
sealer  or  stamper  of  weights  and  measures  in  this  city, 
and  was  sworn  to  seal  or  stamp  all  weights  and  measures 
pursuant  to  the  ordinance  this  day  published  relating 
thereto,  according  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge. 

The  city  weights  and  liquid  measures  were  accordingly 
delivered  to  the  said  Robert  Lansingh. 

1743,  Aug.  13.  Gerret  Lansingh  and  Anthony  Bratt 
agreed  to  sett  up  the  Stockadoes  from  the  gate  as  you 
go  to  Schinechtady  to  the  top  of  the  hill  in  the  pasture 
of  Elbert  Gerritsae  along  the  line  of  the  city  as  it  was 


110  The  City  Records. 

last  laid  out  to  be  fortified,  for  ten  pence  half  penny  each 
Stockadoe,  that  is  to  say:  To  square  them  on  two  sides, 
take  of  all  the  bark,  put  them  three  feet  in  the  ground, 
and  work  a  ribb  into  them  three  feet  from  the  topp,  and 
to  putt  a  large  pinn  in  every  Stockadoe  thro'  the  ribb; 
to  make  them  square  under  and  sharp  above,  and  to  make 
loop  holes  at  such  convenient  distances  as  the  mayor, 
recorder,  and  aldermen  shall  direct,  for  small  arms. 

Guysbert  Vanden  Bergh  agreed  to  sett  up  600  Stocka- 
does  for  12d.  each  in  the  manner  abovesaid,  to  begin  at 
the  south  side  of  the  fort  and  so  towards  the  Rutten  Kill. 

This  board  agreed  with  William  Bromley  that  he  keep 
the  house  he  now  lives  in  another  year,  and  that  the  rent 
of  last  year  and  the  year  to  come  be  given  him  for  the 
repair  of  said  house,  for  which  he  is  to  repair  the  roof. 

1743,  Aug.  18.  Barnardus  Bratt  agreed  with  this 
board  to  sett  up  500  Stockadoes,  beginning  from  the 
Blockhouse  that  stands  behind  the  lime  kiln  of  Luykas 
Hooghkerk  and  so  along  the  line  of  the  city  so  far  until 
it  takes  up  500  Stockadoes  to  putt  them  in  the  same 
manner  as  agreed  with  Ger1  Lansing  the  13th  instant, 
for  100  whereof  he  is  to  have  12d.  and  for  the  remaining 
400,  each  lO^d. 

Lambert  Redliff,  Evert  Sixbury  and  Peter  Jones  and 
William  Hilton,  Jun'r  agreed  to  sett  500  Stockadoes  for 
lO.^d.  each,  in  the  manner  abovesaid,  to  begin  upon  the 
plain  as  they  shall  be  directed  by  the  mayor,  recorder 
and  aldermen. 

This  board  agreed  with  Kiliaen  Winne  to  remove  the 
block  house  that  stands  in  the  pasture  of  Elbert  Gerritse, 
lower  down  as  he  shall  be  ordered  and  to  make  a  new 
roof  and  to  find  all  the  materials  that  shall  be  wanting 
to  said  block  house,  for  the  sum  of  thirteen  pounds  four 
shillings. 

1743,  Sept.  26.  The  mayor  and  aldermen  directed  two 
warants  to  the  sheriff  under  their  hands  and  seals  to 
summon  two  Jurys,  the  one  to  appraise  the  ground  of 
Elbert  Gerritse  and  the  other  the  ground  of  Wilhellmua 
Vanden  Bergh,  on  which  the  fortifications  of  this  city 


The  City  Records.  Ill 

are  directed  to  be  built,  they  not  being  willing  to  sell  the 
same  at  a  reasonable  price.  As  also  a  warrant  for  a  jury 
to  apprize  the  ground  of  the  heirs  of  Cornelius  Van 
Schelluyne. 

1743.  Sept.  27.  Pursuant  to  the  warrants  directed 
by  the  mayor  and  aldermen  to  the  high  sheriff  on  the 
26th  instant,  the  Jurys  viewed  and  appraised  the  ground 
of  Elbert  Gerritse  at  thirty  pounds. 

The  ground  of  Wilhellmus  Vanden  Bergh  at  eleven 
pounds  ten  shillings. 

The  ground  of  the  heirs  of  Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne 
at  four  pounds. 

1743,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city,  this  being  the  day  appointed  for 
electing  aldermen,  assistants  and  constables  and  for  ap- 
pointing a  chamberlain  and  marshal,  the  following  per- 
sons were  chosen  and  appointed: 

First  Ward — Johannis  Marselis  and  Jacob  C.  Ten 
Eyck,  aldermen;  John  Van  Veghten  and  Philip  Living- 
ston, Jun'r,  assistants;  John  Jo.  Wendell  and  John  Fryer, 
constables. 

Second  Ward — Jacob  Ten  Eyck  and  Nicolaes  Bleeker, 
Jun'r,  aldermen ;  John  H.  Ten  Eyck  and  John  R.  Bleeker, 
asisstants;  John  M.  Roseboom  and  Philip  Hansen,  con- 
stables. 

Gerret  C.  Vanden  Bergh  was  chosen  and  appointed 
chamberlain  for  the  ensueing  year. 

John  Jo.  Wendell  was  appointed  high  constable. 

Johannis  Seger  was  apointed  marshal.    . 

1743,  Oct.  4.  This  board  agreed  with  John  Visher 
for  twenty  English  feet  front  of  the  west  part  of  his  lott 
in  the  foxes  creek  for  the  sum  of  thirty-two  pounds ;  one 
half  to  be  paid  him  at  the  delivery  of  the  deed  and  the 
other  half  thereof  pmo.  May  next. 

1743,  Oct.  12.  This  board  agreed  with  Johan's  Lan- 
singh,  Jun'r  for  a  part  of  his  pasture  in  the  first  ward  of 
this  city,  being  the  south  part  thereof,  which  said  Lan- 
singh  promises  to  release  to  this  corporation  for  the  sum 
of  sixteen  pounds,  to  be  paid  in  six  months. 


112  The  City  Records. 

The  mayor  and  aldermen  directed  warrants  to  the 
sheriff  to  summon  Jurys  to  appraise  the  ground  of  the 
heirs  of  Abraham  Kip  and  Philip  de  forest,  of  Margret 
Livingston  and  of  David  Verplanck,  necessary  to  erect 
fortifications  on. 

1743,  Oct.  15.  The  jury  sworn  to  appraize  the  pos- 
sessions of  Margret  Livingston  appraize  the  damages 
to  fourteen  pounds  ten  shillings. 

The  possessions  of  David  Verplanck  and  damages  to 
fourteen  pounds  ten  shillings. 

The  possessions  of  the  heirs  of  Abraham  Kip  and  Philip 
deforest  to  five  pounds. 

Margret  Livingston's  is  fourteen  feet  and  a  half  in 
front  and  twenty-six  feet  and  an  half  rear. 

That  of  David  Verplank  16  feet  on  the  west  side  of 
his  pasture  and  twelv  feet  five  inches  on  the  east. 

That  of  the  heirs  of  Abraham  Kip  and  Philip  deforest 
one  foot  and  two  inches  on  the  west  side  of  the  pasture, 
and  seven  feet  and  seven  inches  on  the  east  side. 

1743,  Oct.  25.  This  board  ordered  the  clerk  to  draw 
an  order  on  the  chamberlain  to  pay  Anthony  Bratt  and 
Gerret  Lansingh  the  sum  of  £28:7: 10 J,  being  in  full  for 
the  one  half  of  an  account  of  £56:15:9,  the  other  half  is 
to  be  paid  next  spring. 

A  warrant  was  directed  to  the  sheriff  to  summon  a 
jury  to  appraise  the  ground  of  Evert  Wendell,  as  also 
another  to  appraise  the  ground  of  Rutger  Bleeker,  Nico- 
laes  Bleeker  and  Hendrick  Bleeker. 

This  board  addressed  His  Excell'cy  Governour  Clinton, 
a  copy  of  which  address  is  as  follows: 
To  his  Excellency  George  Clinton,  Esq.,  Captain  Generall 

and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  province  of  New  York 

and  the  Territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  and 

Vice  Admirall  of  the  same,  &c.,  The  Humble  Address 

of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonality  of  the  city 

of  Albany  in  the  Colony  of  New  York  in  America: 
May  it  please  your  Excellency! 

We  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonality  of  his 
Majesties  Loyal  City  of  Albany  take  this  opportunity  to 


The  City  Records.  113 

congratulate  your  Excellency  upon  your  and  your  fami- 
lies safe  arrivall  at  New  York,  the  Metropolis  of  your 
Government,  where  we  sincerely  wish  your  Excellency 
and  family  may  long  enjoy  health  and  happiness. 

We  can  not  sufficiently  acknowledge  the  goodness  and 
fatherly  care  of  our  most  gracious  Sovereign  Lord,  King 
George  the  Second  towards  us,  in  that  it  hath  pleased  him 
to  send  your  Excellency  to  govern  us,  who  have  so  early 
and  earnestly  expressed  your  good  intentions  to  make 
the  welfare  and  happiness  of  this  Colony  your  chief  care 
and  study,  for  which  kind  and  tender  expressions  we 
make  your  Excellency  our  gratefull  and  sincere  acknow- 
ledgements. 

We  as  the  frontier  city  of  this  Colony,  in  case  of  a 
french  war  will  stand  in  need  of  great  share  of  your  Ex- 
cellencies care  and  vigilance,  which  we  assure  ourselves 
your  Excellency  will  with  pleasure  bestow  upon  us. 

We  beg  leave  to  assure  your  Excellency  that  we  will 
allways  make  it  our  business,  as  we  know  it  is  our  duty, 
to  do  what  in  us  lies  to  make  your  Excell'cys  administra- 
tion easy  and  happy.  Voc  Aro. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency. 

1743,  Oct.  26.  The  Jury  appraised  the  ground  of 
Evert  Wendell  at  thirty  pounds,  and  the  ground  of  Rut- 
ger  Bleeker,  &c.  at  thirty-six  pounds. 

A  warrant  was  drawn  on  the  treasurer  to  pay  Lamb1 
Redliff  and  Evert  Sixbury  each  four  pounds. 

The  following  ordinance  was  published: 

Whereas  severall  evil  minded  persons  have  presumed 
to  cutt,  pull  down  and  carried  away  of  the  old  Stocka- 
does  of  this  city  without  authority  so  to  do,  for  the  pre- 
venting whereof  for  the  future,  Be  it  ordained  by  the 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonality  in  Common  Council 
convened,  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  of 
the  same,  that  if  any  person  or  persons  shall  presume  to 
cutt,  pull  down  or  carry  away  any  of  the  old  Stockadoes 
of  this  city,  lying  and  standing  or  being  in  and  about  the 
same,  without  order  from  the  Common  Councill  of  this 
city,  such  person  or  persons  shall  forfeit  for  every  such 


114  The  City  Records. 

offence  the  sum  of  forty  shillings  for  the  use  of  this  cor- 
poration, to  be  recovered  before  the  mayor,  recorder  or 
any  of  the  aldermen  of  this  city.  Dated  in  Albany,  ye 
26th  October,  1743. 

This  board  agreed  with  Anthony  Bratt  to  remove  the 
block  house  near  the  City  Hall  to  the  place  where  the 
powder  house  stands  upon  the  plain,  and  to  putt  it  up 
there,  to  find  all  the  materials  necessary,  to  mason  the 
stone  of  the  foundation  above  the  ground  with  lime,  to 
put  a  new  roof  of  squared  white  pine  boards  thereon,  to 
mason  the  pipe  of  the  chimney  above  the  house  with 
lime  and  to  make  it  of  hard  bricks,  and  to  make  draws 
before  the  port  holes  below,  and  to  finish  all  compleat, 
for  which  he  is  to  have  thirteen  pounds  four  shillings. 

1748,  Nov.  12.  The  following  persons  were  appointed 
fire  masters  for  the  currant  year: 

First  Ward — Andries  Van  Woort,  Johannis  F.  Myn- 
dertse. 

Second  Ward — John  Glen,  Niclaes  Cuyler. 

Third  Ward — Peter  D'Wandelaer,  Gerret  Ja.  Lansingh. 

1743,  December  7.  Whereas  John  Cortney  desires  by 
writeing,  under  his  hand  and  seal,  that  Jacob  C.  Ten 
Eyck  may  have  title  for  the  lott  of  ground  he  the  said 
John  Cortney  bought  of  this  corporation  pmo.  September 
1739.  This  board  resolves  that  title  be  given  to  the  said 
Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  said  lott  of 
ground  upon  his  payment  of  £1,  yet  unpait  upon  said 
lott  of  ground,  and  that  the  mayor  execute  a  deed  in  be- 
half of  this  corporation  for  the  same. 

Peter  Vielen  petitioned  this  corporation  for  ten  mor- 
gans  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  Lewis's  creek  and  for 
the  stream  of  the  said  creek  for  a  mill.  Resolved  that 
his  petition  be  taken  into  consideration. 

This  board  agreed  with  Robert  Lansingh,  Barnardus 
Harts  en  and  Michael  Basset,  that  they  shall  manage  the 
fire  engine  in  case  of  fire,  and  always  be  ready  upon  any 
occasion  that  it  may  be  wanted.  They  are  each  to  make 
a  key  to  open  the  lock  of  the  shed  that  the  engine  stands 
in  and  to  place  the  keys  in  some  parts  of  their  houses 


The  City  Records.  115 

where  it  may  be  found  when  they  are  absent,  for  which 
they  are  to  have  each  6  sk.  wheat  per  annum. 

1743,  Dec.  20.  This  board  agreed  with  Jacob  Wen- 
dell for  four  pounds  for  the  ground  on  which  the  block 
house  stands,  being  four  feet  and  an  half  in  front  and 
twenty-six  feet  and  an  half  rear. 

This  board  agreed  with  Jacob  Glen  for  £45,  to  be  paid 
the  first  of  May  next,  for  a  lott  of  ground  he  bought  of 
Abraham  Lansingh,  Jun'r,  lying  on  the  Rense  bergh. 

174 1,  Feb.  7.  This  board  agreed  with  Abraham  Lan- 
sing for  pr-iviledge  to  cutt  20  or  25  gutters  at  Schaach- 
kook,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  Is.  each. 

Ordered  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the  chamber- 
lain to  deliver  Joh's  Seger  6  sk.  wheat. 

174J,  feb'y  21.  Resolved  that  the  land  of  the  heirs  of 
Dirk  Van  Veghte  and  the  Forts  at  Schaahkook  be  sur- 
veyed; as  also  ten  morgans  land  Peter  Viele  petitioned 
for,  lying  at  Schaahkook  on  hot  sides  of  Lewis's  Killetie. 
1744,  May  21.  Resolved  that  Eva  Vandriese  have  12 
acres  of  land  of  this  corporation  upon  Tienondoroge  flatts 
for  6  sk.  wheat  per  annum,  and  that  after  John  Bleeker 
shall  have  surveyed  it  and  a  draft  thereof  made,  a  deed 
be  executed  for  the  same  by  this  corporation. 

N.  B.  This  piece  of  land  lyes  between  the  land  granted 
by  this  corporation  to  Abraham  Cuyler  and  that  granted 
to  Peter  Brower. 

1744,  June  9.  This  day  the  mayor  executed  in  Com- 
mon Council  to  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck  a  deed  pursuant  to 
the  minutes  of  the  7th  December,  1743. 

1744,  June  9.  Resolved  that  his  Excellency  and  the 
gentlemen  that  attended  him  from  New  York,  be  asked 
to  dine  at  the  house  of  Will.  Peters  on  Saturday  next. 

1744.  Johannis  Pruyn,  Johannis  W.  Quackenboss 
and  Anthony  Bratt  being  sent  for  according  to  the  direc- 
tions of  an  Act  of  Assembly  entitled  an  Act  for  the  more 
effectual  fortifying  the  city  of  Albany,  to  agree  for  so 
much  of  their  ground  as  the  fortifications  of  this  city  are 
directed  to  be  built  upon,  who  all  appeared  at  this  board 
and  as  the  price  can  not  be  agreed  upon,  it  is  Resolved 


116  The  City  Records. 

that  warrants  issue  directed  to  the  sheriff  to  summon 
jurors  to  appraize  the  same  according  to  the  said  Act  of 
Assembly. 

Resolved  that  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  treasurer  to 
sell  185  sk.  of  the  cities  wheat  at  3s.  and  not  above  6  sk. 
to  a  family  for  ready  money. 

1744,  June  28.  John  Waters,  Thomas  Floyde,  Peter 
Bogaert  and  Ahasuerus  roseboom  being  sent  for  accord- 
ing to  the  direction  of  an  Act  of  Assembly,  entitled  an 
Act  for  the  more  effectual  fortifying  the  city  of  Albany,  to 
agree  for  so  much  of  their  ground  as  the  fortifications  of 
this  city  are  directed  to  be  built  upon,  who  all  appeared 
at  this  board,  and  as  the  price  can  not  be  agreed  upon, 
it  is  Resolved  that  warrants  issue  to  the  sheriff  to  sum- 
mon jurors  to  appraise  the  same  according  to  the  said 
Act  of  Assembly. 

Resolved  that  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  treasurer  to 
pay  Barnardus  Bratt  £10,  in  part  of  Stockadoes. 

1744,  July  4.  Coenradt  Ten  Eyck,  Gerrit  Lansing 
and  Christopher  Yates  being  sent  for  according  to  the 
directions  of  an  Act  of  Assembly,  entitled  an  Act  for  the 
more  effectual  fortifying  the  city  of  Albany  to  agree  for 
so  much  of  their  ground  as  the  fortifications  of  this  city 
are  directed  to  be  built  upon,  who  all  appeared  at 
this  board,  and  as  the  price  can  not  be  agreed  upon,  it 
is  Resolved  that  warrants  issue  to  the  sheriff  to  summon 
jurors  to  appraise  the  same  according  to  the  said  Act  of 
Assembly. 

Resolved  that  the  clerk  draw  an  order  on  the  treasurer 
to  pay  Volkert  van  Hoesen  for  19  days'  work  at  6s., 
JE5-.14.  and  to  Johannis  Seger  1  bag  wheat. 

Harme  Van  Veghte  having  been  asked  to  sell  his  ground, 
as  above,  and  refusein  the  same,  the  resolution  was  taken 
as  in  the  above  cases. 

1744,  July  20.  Resolved  that  if  the  persons  of  whom 
this  corporation  want  ground  for  fortifications  along  the 
water  side,  refuse  to  give  liberty  to  the  corporation  to 
erect 'fortifications  and  for  round  passage  of  twenty  feet 
next  the  line  dureing  in  the  war,  that  then  we  will  cause 
it  to  be  appraized. 


The  City  Records.  1 17 

1744,  July  31,  This  board  agreed  with  Anthony  Bratt 
to  bring  to  this  city  at  high  water  mark,  320  Stockadoes 
at  Is.  each,  if  squared  then  13 £d;  to  be  13  English  feet 
long  and  11  inches  thick  at  the  thin  end,  and  also  40 
Stockadoes  of  26J  feet  long  at  2s.  each. 

This  board  agreed  with  Guyleyn  Verplank  to  bring  the 
like  quantity  at  the  same  rate. 

1744,  August  17.  To  the  Honourable  Representa- 
tives of  the  Colony  of  New  York  in  Generall  Assembly 
convened:  The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen 
and  Commonality  of  the  city  of  Albany,  humbly  sheweth, 

Whereas  your  Petitioners  did  last  year  petition  your 
Honourable  House  to  raise*  the  sum  of  £300  upon  this 
city  and  county  in  order  to  putt  this  city  in  a  posture  of 
defence,  which  petition  was  accordingly  granted;  and 
whereas  that  sum  has  been  expended  by  your  petitioners 
and  considerably  exceeded  in  fortifying  the  said  city,  so 
that  your  petitioners  are  now  in  arrear  upon  said  account, 
and  the  fortifications  of  this  ci(y  not  being  yet  completed 
for  want  of  more  money,  your  petitioners  do  therefore 
humbly  pray  the  Honourable  to  pass  an  Act  to  enable 
the  supervisors  to  raise  upon  this  city  and  county  as  soon^ 
as  may  be  (in  the  same  manner  as  the  other  county 
charges  are  raised)  the  sum  of  £300,  to  enable  your  pe- 
titioners to  go  on  and  finish  the  fortification  of  this  city,, 
which  is  necessary  should  be  done  with  the  utmost  ex- 
pedition, and  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray. 

The  following  Letter  was  this  day  wrote  to  the  repre- 
sentatives sent  out  of  this  county,  with  the  petition  on 
the  other  side  inclosed: 

Gentlemen:  We  enclose  you  a  Petition  to  the  Honour- 
able Generall  Assembly  to  raise  the  sum  of  £300  upon 
this  city  and  county  for  the  fortifying  this  city,  which  we 
shall  actually  want  for  that  purpose,  and  as  we  are  con- 
vinced that  you  well  know  how  very  necessary  this  is, 
we  desire  you  to  deliver  this  petition  to  the  House,  and. 
we  doubt  not  but  you  will  do  your  endeavour  to  gett  an 
Act  passed  according  to  the  same. 

We  hope   you  will  remember  to  gett  as  much  of  the 

[Annals,  x.]  11 


118  The  City  Records. 

powder  your  House  bought  at  the  provincial  expence  to 
be  sent  up  to  us  as  you  can. 

1744,  Sept.  13.  This  board  agreed  with  Anthony 
Bratt  to  build  a  block  house  at  the  water  side  on  the 
south  end  of  the  town  where  the  foundation  is  now  laid, 
$nd  to  finish  it  compleatly  with  a  good  heerth  and  chim- 
ney, of  hard  bricks  above  the  roof,  and  the  roof  to  be  of 
good  boards,  and  port  holes  for  cannon  and  small  arms, 
and  every  thing  that  belongs  to  a  block  house  to  be  made 
in  the  best  manner  and  to  be  compleatly  finished,  for 
which  he  is  to  have  £36  and  two  gallons  rum. 

Johannis  Seger  agreed  with  this  board  to  lock  the 
gates  of  the  city,  from  the  south  side  of  the  fort  to  the 
little  gate  neer  Ryer  Gerritse's  including  said  gate,  at 
eight  of  the  clock  every  evening  and  to  carry  the  keys  to 
the  mayor  of  the  city  or  where  he  shall  be  ordered  by 
the  Common  Council!  for  the  time  being,  and  to  open  the 
gates  again  every  morning  directly  after  Reveille,  for 
which  service  he  is  to  have  £6  per  annum,  to  commence 
the  25th  instant. 

Michael  Basset  agreed  to  do  the  same  service,  from 
the  north  side  of  the  fort,  round  to  the  gate  at  the  river 
side  near  Leend1  Gansevoort,  including  said  gate,  for 
which  he  is  to  be  paid  at  the  same  rate,  and  the  time  to 
commence  the  25th  instant. 

1744,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city  this  being  the  day  appointed  for  elect- 
ing aldermen,  assistants  and  constables  and  for  appoint- 
ing a  chamberlain  and  marshal,  the  following  persons 
were  chosen  and  appointed. 

First  Ward — Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  aldermen,  JohnMar- 
selis  and  Sybrant  G.  Van  Schaick  having  an  equal  num- 
ber of  voices;  John  Van  Veghte  and  Phil.  Livingston, 
Jun'r,  assistants;  Cornelius  C.  Vanden  Bergh  and  John 
Price,  constables. 

Second  Ward — Nicolaes  Bleeker,  Jun'r  and  David  V. 
D.  Heyden,  aldermen;  John  H.  Ten  Eyck  and  Hcnd'k 
M.  Roseboom,  assistants;  Marte  Hogan  and  Schiboleth 
bogard's,  Jun'r,  constables. 


The  City  Records.  119 

Third  Ward— Jacob  Visher  and  Jacob  Wendell,  alder- 
men; Gerrit  Ja.  Lansing  and  Kiliaen  Winne,  assistants; 
Benj.  Van  Veghte  and  Will.  V.  D.  Bergh,  Jun'r,  consta- 
bles. 

Mr.  Gerret  C.  Van  den  Bergh  was  appointed  treasurer. 
Johannis  Seger,  marshal,  and  Marte  Hogan,  high  con- 
stable. 

1744,  Oct.  2.  Whereas  on  the  29th  September  last, 
Johannis  Marselius  and  Sybrant  G.  Van  Schaick  had  an 
equality  of  votes  for  aldermen  of  the  first  ward  of  this 
city,  wherefore  this  board  ordered  that  a  new  election  be 
held  on  Saturday  the  seventh jnstant,  at  two  of  the  clock 
in  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  for  an  alderman  for  the  said 
ward,  and  that  the  aldermen  of  the  said  ward  do  give 
notice  accordingly. 

1744,  Oct.  13.  Pursuant  to  the  order  of  this  board  of 
the  2d  instant,  last  Saturday  an  election  was  held  for 
an  alderman  for  the  first  ward  of  this  city,  and  by  a  ma- 
jority of  voices  John  Livingston  was  elected,  who  was 
this  day  returned  accordingly  by  the  aldermen  of  the  said 
ward. 

1744,  Nov.  16.  The  following  persons  were  appointed 
fire  masters: 

First  Ward — Evert  Wendell,  Jun'r,  Jacob  van  Schaick. 

Second  Ward — Jacob  Lansing,  Hendrick  Ja.  Beekman. 

Third  Ward — John  Dow,  Isaac  Hansen. 

1744,  Dec.  11.     This  board  agreed  with  Peter  Brower 
that  he  should  pay  the  first  day  of  february  next  84  skiple 
good  merchantable  winter  wheat  for  the  use  of  his  land 
at  Tienonderoge  in  full  to  that  day. 

1745,  July  9.     This  corporation  ordered  that  three 
pounds  be  given  out  of  the  treasury  to  the  man  who 
brought   the   Express   giving  an  acco"  of  the  taking  of 
Cape  Breton. 

1745,  August  24.  This  board  agreed  with  John  Bell 
to  be  comon  hangman  for  this  city  and  county  and  whip- 
per  for  this  city,  for  which  he  is  to  have  £14  per  annum, 
the  time  to  commence  the  first  day  of  May  last.  The 
Comon  Council  ordered  him  a  Hanger  and  Bell. 


120  The  City  Records. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Gerrit  V.  Denbergh  for  six 
pound  in  full  for  John  Bell's  salary  as  Whipper  to  the 
first  of  May  last. 

1745,  Sept.  29.  Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the 
Charter  of  this  city,  this  being  the  day  appointed  to  chuse 
city  officers,  the  following  persons  were  chosen: 

First  Ward— Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  John  Livingston, 
aldermen;  Philip  Livingston,  Jun'r,  Johannis  Van  Vegh- 
ten,  assistants,  and  William  Thayer  and  Joseph  Van 
Sante,  constables. 

Second  Ward — Nicholas  Bleecker,  Jun'r,  David  Van- 
derheyden,  aldermen;  Hendrick  M.  Roseboom,  Frans. 
Pruyn,  Jun'r,  assistants,  and  Abraham  Yates  and  Bastiaen 
D.  Garmoy,  constables. 

Third  Ward — Jacob  Vischer,  Gerrit  Van  Ness,  alder- 
men; Gerrit  Ja.  Lansingh,  Killiaen  Winne,  assistants, 
and  Ant.  A.  Bratt,  constables. 

Gerrit  C.  Vandenbergh  was  unanimously  chosen  cham- 
berlain, and  Johannis  Seger,  marshal  for  said  city. 

Anthony  A.  Bratt  was  chosen  high  constable. 

1745,  Nov.  19.  This  board  agreed  with  Thomas 
Floyd  for  the  House  of  Tobias  Ryckman,  on  the  dock 
near  Gansevoort's  Point,  for  the  rent  Zecharia  Haas 
agreed  for  with  Ryckman.  The  corporation  to  pay  the 
rent  from  first  of  May  and  the  cartidge  of  his  things,  and 
to  keep  the  house  in  repair. 

1745,  Dec.  6.  James  Stevenson,  Esq.  produced  a  de- 
putation of  Philip  Livingston,  Esq.  appointing  him  his 
Deputy  to  exercise  and  execute  the  office  of  town  clerk, 
and  clerk  of  the  peace  and  clerk  of  the  common  pleas  for 
the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  and  also  to  exercise  the 
office  of  secretary  and  agent  to  the  Indians,  his  majesties 
subjects  at  the  city  of  Albany,  and  after  taking  the  oaths 
by  law  appointed,  he  took  an  oath  for  the  well  and  truly 
executing  sd  offices. 

1745,  Dec.  9.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  three 
market  houses  of  this  city  be  made  up  with  all  speed  for 
the  lodging  of  the  King's  Troops  expected  from  New 
York,  each  with  double  chimneys  in  the  middle. 


The  City  Records.  121 

174 [J-,  Feb.  1.  An  ordinance  was  publish'd  directing 
the  inhabitants  of  this  city  to  quarter  the  forces  sent 
here  to  keep  watch. 

1746,  Sept.  29.  This  being  the  day  appointed  by  the 
Charter  for  electing  and  chusing  corporation  officers,  the 
following  persons  were  elected  to  serve  for  the  year  en- 
suing according  to  the  directions  of  the  Charter: 

First  Ward — Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck  and  Sybrant  Van 
Schaick,  aldermen;  Egbert  Bratt  and  Barnardus  Bratt, 
assistants;  William  Fryar  and  Joseph  Jos.  Van  Sante, 
constables. 

Second  Ward — Johan's  G^  Roseboom  and  Jacob  H. 
Ten  Eyck,  aldermen;  Jacob  Jas.  Lansingh  and  Barent 
Ten  Eyck,  assistants;  Abraham  Yates  and  Reynier  v. 
Alstyn,  constables. 

Third  Ward— Gerrit  Van  Ness  and  Ahasueris  Rose- 
boom,  aldermen;  Cornells  Maase  and  Johannis  V.  Douwe, 
assistants;  Jacob  Evertse,  Jun'r  and  Ab'm  Boghaert, 
Jun'r,  constables. 

The  Common  Council  appointed  Gerrit  C.  Vanden- 
bergh  for  city  treasurer,  Johannes  Seger  for  city  marshal, 
William  Fryar  for  high  constable. 

1746,  Oct.  14.     John  R.  Bleecker  produced  a  commis- 
sion for  sheriff  of  this  city  and  county  and  took  the  oaths 
appointed  by  law  and  also  the  oath  for  the  due  execution 
of  his  office. 

1741',  March  24.  Order'd  a  petition  to  be  drawn  in 
order  to  be  laid  before  the  Assembly,  praying  a  sum  of 
money  may  be  raised  to  pay  the  debts  contracted  by  the 
corporation  since  the  commencement  of  the  war. 

Resolved  that  three  great  guns  be  placed  on  the  Bat- 
tery behind  the  Court  House,  and  that  the  Recorder, 
Barnardus  Bratt  and  Egbert  Bratt  be  managers  to  see 
the  same  well  done.  The  corporation  to  pay  the  charge 
of  doing  it. 

1747,  April  7.     This  board  on  the  request  of  the  min- 
ister, elders  and  deacons  of  the  Dutch  church,  Resolve  to 
release  a  piece  of  ground  to  them  lying  behind  the  lott 
they  already  bought  of  Edward  Holland.     Ordered  that 


122  The  City  Records. 

• 

the  mayor  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  and  cause  the  city 
seal  to  be  thereunto  affixed. 

A  petition  was  signed  and  ordered  to  be  laid  before 
the  General  Assembly  as  mentioned  in  the  minutes  of 
Common  Council  the  24th  day  of  March  last. 

Resolved  that  John  Depeyster  and  James  Stevenson  go 
down  to  New  York  and  lay  the  same  before  the  General 
Assembly. 

1747,  May  4.  An  order  was  drawn  on  Gerrit  C.  Van- 
denbergh,  city  treasurer,  to  pay  John  Depeyster  and 
James  Stevenson  four  pounds  and  four  shillings.  Also 
an  order  was  drawn  to  pay  to  Jacob  S.  Bogardus  four 
pounds  to  buy  fire  wood  for  the  service  of  the  corporation. 

1747,  May  12.  The  Comon  Council  order  that  ten 
loads  of  fire  wood  be  carrd  from  Jacob  Bogardus's  sloop 
to  each  of  the  Market  Houses  where  the  King's  Soldiers 
are  quartered;  to  each  of  the  Block  Houses,  N.  3  and  4, 
each  3  load  to  be  carrd  to  Johannes  Seger's  yard. 

To  Johannes  Seger  himself  3  load;  to  the  block  house 
N.  8,  4  load;  to  the  block  house  N.  7,  3  load. 

1747,  June  16.  An  order  was  drawn  on  Gerrit  C. 
Vandenbergh,  city  treasurer,  to  pay  John  R.  Bleecker, 
Esq.  £1  for  wine  to  entertain  the  Judge  when  he  came 
here  to  hold  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer. 

1747,  June  20.  A  warrant  was  drawn  on  the  treasurer 
to  pay  Thomas  Powel  ten  shillings. 

Ordered  that  in  case  of  any  alarm  in  the  night,  all  and 
every  the  inhabitant  of  this  city  sett  candles  in  their 
windows  to  give  light  to  every  man  to  repair  to  their 
posts. 

Ordered  that  a  great  gun  be  placed  at  the  corner  oppo- 
site to  Gerrit  Isaac  Lansingh,  one  in  the  Rutten  Kill, 
and  another  to  be  taken  from  the  Grand  Battery  and 
placed  in  the  foxes  creek. 

Ordered  that  the  ordinance  relating  the  Round  Gangs 
be  put  in  execution. 

Ordered  that  the  Recorder,  Barnardus  Bratt,  Egbert 
Egbertse  and  Gerrit  Van  Ness  be  managers  to  see  the 
above  three  great  guns  duly  ordered  and  placed.  " 


The  City  Records.  123 

1747,  July  27.  The  following  Petition  was  drawn  and 
sign'd  in  order  to  be  sent  to  the  Representatives  of  our 
city  and  county  to  be  gi*en  in  to  the  Assembly: 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  Colony 
of  New  York  convened  in  General  Assembly,  The  Peti- 
tion of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  city 
of  Albany  humbly  sheweth : 

That  the  inhabitants  of  the  corporation  of  the  city  of 
Albany  are  in  cireims  of  great  misery  and  distress  by 
reason  of  the  present  war  with  Frence  and  with  the  In- 
dians in  their  alliance.  That  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
city  ever  since  the  commencement  of  the  war  by  their 
frequent  watching  have  been  very  much  taken  off  from 
themselves  and  families.  That  every  man  of  our  corpo- 
ration hive  been  oblidged  to  attend  in  person  or  pay  a 
hired  man  in  their  stead  upon  watch  and  ward  every 
third  or  fourth  night  during  the  whole  time,  excepting  a 
small  interval  of  time  in  the  spring  the  duty  was  demanded 
only  every  fourth  night,  but  now  and  for  sometime  past 
for  the  safety  of  this  frontier  and  the  poor  inhabitants  we 
are  oblidged  again  to  come  upon  a  fourth  night.  That 
our  corporation  by  occasion  of  the  present  war  are  in- 
debted the  sum  of  eight  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  and 
upwards,  for  repairing  our  fortifications  about  this  city, 
supplying  fire  wood  and  candles  for  the  night  watches, 
and  for  powder  and  ball  for  the  poorest  of  the  inhabitants 
without  any  fund  provided  for  the  payment  thereof,  be- 
sides what  the  inhabitants  have  done  by  a  voluntary  tax- 
ing themselves,  for  providing  and  setting  up  new  Stocka- 
does  where  the  old  ones  were  gone  to  decay.  And  whereas 
this  city  is  now  the  northern  frontier  of  this  Province, 
your  petitioners  humbly  conceive  that  whatever  charge 
or  expence  our  corporation  have  been  already  at  or  here- 
after may  be  put  to  by  reason  of  the  present  war  ought 
in  reason  to  be  a  general  charge  for  the  whole  Province, 
and  not  to  fall  on  the  inhabitants  of  this  corporation  only, 
who  are  in  no  circumstance  to  support  the  growing  ex- 
pence  or  have  one  penny  rent  to  come  in  to  discharge  the 
debts  already  contracted,  or  can  we  expect  any  during 


124  The  City  Records. 

the  war,  nor  probably  for  many  years  after  the  war  is 
over,  Your  Hon's  Petitioners  have  never  heard  that  the 
corporation  of  the  city  of  New  York  have  been  at  the 
charge  of  building  or  repairing  the  fortifications  made  for 
the  defence  of  their  city,  but  that  the  same  hath  been  a 
general  charge  to  the  whole  Province,  altho'  they  have 
had  the  happiness  to  injoy  the  blessings  of  peace  during 
the  whole  war  without  any  alarm,  disturbance  or  molest- 
ation from  the  enemy. 

Your  petitioners  therefore  do  most  humbly  beseech 
your  Honourable  House  in  tender  consideration  of  the 
premises  to  raise  by  a  general  tax  on  the  whole  Province 
the  said  sum  of  eight  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  to  dis- 
charge the  debts  contracted  by  our  corporation  since  the 
commencement  of  the  war,  which  the  deplorable  circum- 
stances of  this  city  is  reduced  to  render  us  incapable  to 
pay.  And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray,  &c. 

ALBANY,  July  27th,  1747. 

Gentlemen:  We  inclose  a  Petition  which  we  beg  the 
favour  of  you  to  deliver  in  to  the  General  Assembly,  and 
beg  also  the  favour  of  3rou  to  use  your  interest  to  gettour 
prayer  granted,  for  unless  some  method  be  fallen  upon  to 
discharge  the  debts  already  contracted  it  is  impossible 
the  publick  charge  can  be  longer  supported. 

You  will  see  by  the  inclosed  what  the  articles  of 
fire  wood  and  candles  for  the  block  houses  only  amount 
to,  and  if  you  judge  necessary  we  shall  send  you  down  a 
list  of  the  several  persons  to  whom,  and  the  respective 
sums  we  are  indebted.  By  order  of  Comon  Council. 

JAS.  STEVENSON,  D.  Cl'k. 

1747,  August  11.  The  following  petition  was  signed 
by  the  present  members,  who  order'd  the  Recorder  and 
Alderman  Van  Schaick  to  go  to  New  York  and  deliver 
the  same  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour,  and  that  the 
corporation  would  pay  their  reasonable  charges  and  ex- 
pences : 

To  his  Excellency  the  Hon'ble  George  Clinton,  Captain 
General  and  Governour  in  Chief  in  and  over  the  province 


The  City  Records.  125 

of  New  York  and  the  Territories  thereon  depending  in 
America,  Vice  Admirall  of  the  same  and  Admirall  of  the 
Red  Squadron  of  his  Majesties  Fleet,  The  petition  ot  the 
mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany, 
Humbly  sheweth: 

That  whereas  the  time  allowed  by  Act  of  Assembly 
for  the  Wood  Rangers  to  scout  through  the  woods  on  the 
west  side  of  Hudson's  river  near  the  city  of  Albany,  is 
expired,  and  for  want  of  Wood  Rangers  both  the  city  and 
inhabitants  that  yet  remain  in  the  county  are  liable  to  be 
suddenly  surprized,  the  inhabitants  both  of  city  and 
county  are  much  decreased  since  the  war  begun,  many 
barbarously  murdered  and  schalped,  and  numbers  taken 
prisoners  by  the  enemy,  and  others  removed  from  city 
and  county  to  places  of  greater  security,  so  that  the  few 
that  are  left,  of  whom  the  most  part  are  oblidged  to 
labour  and  expose  themselves  to  great  danger  to  earn  a 
subsistance  for  themselves  and  families,  are  not  sufficient 
to  keep  the  night  watches,  much  less  to  make  a  defence 
in  case  of  a  suden  attack. 

Your  petitioners  most  humbly  beseech  your  Excellency 
to  lay  our  distressed  condition  before  the  General  As- 
sembly and  to  use  your  Excellency's  interest  to  prevail 
on  their  Honourable  House  to  prolong  the  time  allowed 
for  the  Wood  Rangers  or  to  raise  a  sum  of  money  to  pay 
a  sufficient  number  of  white  men  and  Indians  to  go  on  the 
outschout;  and  your  petitioners  also  farther  pray  that  a 
number  of  men  be  raised  out  of  the  lower  counties  to  be 
placed  in  the  city  of  Albany  to  ease  the  inhabitants  of 
the  hard  duty  of  watching,  which  now  is  to  every  man  in 
town  a  fourth  night,  notwiths:anding  three  block  houses 
and  one  guard  house  remain  still  empty  for  want  of  men. 

And  your  Excellency's  petiti  i  ers  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

Resolved  that  Major  Collins,  the  Recorder  and  Alder- 
man Van  Schaick  go  down  to  New  York  with  the  above 
petition  and  deliver  it  to  his  Excellency  and  to  endeavour 
to  gett  what  the  petition  setts  forth,  or  any  other  thing 
may  be  for  the  good  of  the  city,  and  that  this  corporation 


126  The  City  Records. 

bear  their  expenses  and  allow  them  at  their  return  what 
the  corporation  think  reasonable  for  their  trouble,  and 
that  the  clerk  give  them  a  copy  of  this  resolve. 

1747,  Sept.  14.  Resolved  to  send  an  Express  to  the 
representatives  of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  with  a 
Letter  and  inclose  to  them  the  affidavits  of  Johannis 
Wendell,  Benjamin  Bratt,  Johannis  V.  Douwe  and  Ger- 
rit  C.  Vandenbergh,  and  acquaint  them  that  our  corpo- 
ration petitioned  his  Excellency,  our  Governour,  to  re- 
commend to  the  General  Assembly  to  make  provision  for 
a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  be  posted  in  the  city  of 
Albany  to  ease  the  inhabitants  of  the  hard  duty  of  watch- 
ing. But  as  we  are  informed  Collo.  Roberts  intends  to 
send  three  companies  of  the  new  levies  to  be  quartered 
in  the  block  houses,  which  considering  how  ill  they  have 
all  along  behaved  themselves  and  threatened  often  to 
burn  the  town  before  they  went  away,  an  Collo.  Roberts' 
own  behaviour,  make  the  inhabitants  unwilling  to  have 
them  in  town,  wherefore  we  beg  you  will  use  your  en- 
deavour to  gett  a  sufficient  number  of  men  from  the  lower 
counties  to  be  posted  in  the  city  according  to  the  prayer 
of  our  petition,  presented  to  his  Excellency  by  Major 
Collins  and  Mr.  Van  Schaick. 

1747,  Sept.  28.  Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  writt  to  Collo.. 
Schuyler,  one  of  the  members  of  Assembly  for  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany,  desiring  him  to  gett  an  Act  of 
Assembly  passed  to  lay  a  tax  on  the  Province  for  pur- 
chasing and  setting  up  new  Stockadoes  round  the  city  of 
Albany  where  the  old  ones  are  daily  going  to  decay,  and 
if  the  Assembly  will  not  pass  an  Act  for  the  whole  Pro- 
vince to  contribute  toward  the  charge  thereof,  that  an 
Act  be  pass'd  to  oblige  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  and 
county  (Schenectady  excepted)  to  do  yl. 

Major  Collins  and  Sybrant  Van  Schaick  laid  their 
acco'r-  before  this  board  amounting  to  the  sum  of  £  1:18:4, 
which  the  board  allowed,  and  gave  an  order  on  the  treas- 
urer to  pay  the  same  out  of  the  first  money  that  comes 
to  his  hands. 

1747,  Sept.  29.     This  being  the  day  appointed  by  the 


The  City  Records.  127 

Charter  for  choosing  and  electing  corporation  officers, 
the  following  persons  were  chosen  to  serve  for  the  year 
ensuing  according  to  the  directions  of  the  charter  : 

First  Ward— Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck  and  Sybrant  G,  Van 
Schaick,  aldermen;  Barnardus  Bratt  and  Egbert  Bratt, 
assistants;  Luykas  Yates  and  Johannis  Vander  Heyden, 
Jun'r,  constables. 

Second  Ward— Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck  and  John  Rose- 
boom,  Jun'r,  aldermen;  Jacob  I.  Lansingh  and  Barent 
Ten  Eyck,  assistants;  Isaac  Verplanck  and  William 
Groesbeeck,  constables. 

Third  Ward— Gerrit  Van  Ness  and  CoenraetTen  Eyck, 
aldermen;  Cornelis  Maase  and  John  V.  Douwe,  assist- 
ants; Rutger  Lansingh  and  Peter  Boghaert,  Jun'r,  con- 
stables. 

The  Common  Council  appointed  Gerrit  Vandenbergh 
for  city  treasurer  or  chamberlain;  Johannis  Seger  for 
marshall;  Isaac  Verplanck  for  high  constable. 

1747,  Oct.  2.  Collo.  Roberts  sent  yesterday  to  the 
mayor  a  Letter  from  his  Excell'y  the  Gov'r,  dated  the 
26th  day  of  September,  1747,  acquainting  the  corporation 
he  had  directed  Collo.  Roberts  to  order  three  companies 
of  the  new  levies  to  be  quartered  in  the  block  houses  in 
the  city  of  Albany,  or  in  such  other  places  therein  as  they 
should  provide.  The  Letter  sett  forth  that  his  Excel- 
lency expected  the  corporation  would  provide  for  them 
fire  wood  and  candles  and  assured  them  he  would  re- 
commend to  the  General  Assembly  to  make  sufficient 
provision  to  defray  the  expense  they  might  be  put  to. 

Resolved  to  try  to  gett  fire  wood  and  candles  for  said 
three  companies  as  soon  as  possible,  and  then  to  acquaint 
Collo.  Roberts  therewith,  and  that  Alderman  Ten  Eyck 
and  Cornelis  Maase,  one  of  the  assistants,  acquaint  him 
with  this  resolution. 

1747,  Nov.  14.  This  board  appointed  the  following 
persons  to  look  after  the  chimneys  and  other  places  where 
the  inhabitants  kept  their  fire,  &c. 

Peter  Jones  and  Johannes  Wendell,  son  of  Johannes 
Wendell,  for  the  first  ward. 


128  The  City  Records. 

Gysbert  Fonda  and  Obadiah  Cooper,  for  the  second 
ward. 

Jan  Maase,  Jun'r,  and  Abraham  Fonda,  son  of  Isaac 
Fonda,  for  the  third  ward. 

1747,  Dec.  4.  An  order  was  drawn  to  payDirckTen 
Broeck,  Esq.,  mayor  of  the  city  of  Albany,  one  pound 
nine  shillings  and  five  pence  out  of  the  money  now  in  the 
treasurer's  hands,  he  having  paid  so  much  to  George 
Burnes. 

Evert  Sixberry  agreed  to  supply  the  block  house  N.  1 
to  pmo.  May  next,  from  twesday  next,  at  3s.  per  load,  to 
bring  one  load  every  day,  and  on  Saturday  two  loads. 

Isaac  De  Voe  agreed  for  N.  6  at  3s.  6d.  per  double  load. 

Peter  Benneway  agreed  for  N.  7  at  3s.  6d.  per  double 
load. 

Evert  H.  Wendell  agreed  for  N.  5  at  3s.  6d.  per  double 
load. 

1747,  Dec.  7.  Hendrick  Van  Buren  agreed  to  supply 
the  Market  house  in  the  third  ward  to  pmo.  May  next  at 
3s.  6d.  for  a  double  load,  two  loads  every  day  and  four 
on  Saturdays,  to  begin  this  week. 

Rutger  Vandenbergh  agreed  to  supply  the  Market  house 
in  the  first  ward  to  pmo.  May  next,  as  above. 

Volkert  and  Cornelis  Vandenbergh  agreed  to  supply 
the  Block  house  No.  8  at  3s.  6d.  for  the  double  load,  and 
3s.  for  the  double  load  till  pmo.  May  next  as  the  others 
agreed  before. 

1747,  Dec.  12.  This  board  agreed  with  Vander- 
heyden  to  supply  Block  house  N.  4  on  same  terms  and 
for  same  time  as  the  others.  He  begun  last  Thursday, 
being  the  10th  instant. 

Resolved  that  if  anything  happen  to  be  wanting  to  the 
Sentry  boxes  or  Batteries  round  the  walls  of  this  city, 
that  the  mayor  or  recorder  or  the  aldermen  of  the  ward 
where  such  defect  happens  to  be,  or  any  of  them,  take 
care  that  the  same  be  made,  mended  or  repair'd  at  the 
charge  of  the  corporation. 

Resolved  that  Johannis  Hunn  and  Cornelis  Boghaert 
make  up  the  deficiencies  in  the  city  wall  at  the  several 


The  City  Records.  129 

places  as  mentioned  in  a  memorandum  given  to  Johan's 
Hunn  for  that  purpose. 

Benjamin  Bratt  undertook  to  open  and  shutt  the  Gates 
and  sweep  the  snow  from  off  the  Batteries  in  the  north- 
ern division  of  this  city  at  seven  pound  per  annum  from 
the  first  day  of  February  next.  N.  B.  He  begun  to  open 
and  shutt  the  Gates  aforesd  the  28th  day  of  January  last. 

Johannes  Seger  undertook  as  above  for  the  southern 
division  at  the  same  price. 

Bastiaen  Teymesse  undertook  to  supply  Block  house 
No.  3  on  the  same  terms  and  for  the  same  time  as  the 
others  agreed  the  4th  and  7th  of  this  month. 

174£,  Feb.  10.  This  bo'ard  agreed  with  John  Fryer 
to  supply  the  Block  houses  with  candles  at  the  rate  of 
one  shilling  per  pound,  from  the  eleventh  day  of  this 
month  to  the  fifteenth  day  of  October  next,  and  to  deliver 
every  evening  as  many  as  will  be  sufficient  for  the  night 
then  ensuing  to  Job's  Seger;  said  Fryer  agrees  to  have 
his  first  payment  the  first  of  September  for  the  candles 
he  supplies  to  that  time. 

174|,  March  24.  Resolved  that  Christiaen  Lagransie 
be  permitted  to  set  up  a  Blacksmith's  shop  near  to  the 
shop  of  William  Hogan,  Jun'r,  on  the  north  side  thereof, 
but  to  ready  to  take  it  down  at  any  time  when  the  cor- 
poration may  have  reason  for  it. 

1748,  April  6.  Collo.  Johnson's  Letter  to  the  mayor 
was  read  in  Common  Council  desiring  he  might  have  the 
Barrack  wherein  the  Governour's  men  were  lodg'd  to 
keep  for  a  main  guard  in. 

1748,  May  26.  Ordered  that  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck  and 
Sybrant  G.  Van  Schaick,  aldermen,  together  with  the 
Treasurer,  overlook  the  accounts  which  are  intended  to 
be  laid  before  the  treasurer,  and  make  report  thereof  to 
the  Common  Council. 

17  IS,  July  18.  Ordered  by  this  board  that  Gerrit  Van 
Ness,  Luykas  Wyngaart,  and  Anthony  Van  Der  Zee, 
make  a  new  bridge  behind  Johannis  Lansingh's  on  Rut- 
tenkill,  in  the  first  ward  at  the  water  side;  that  they  like- 

[Annals,  x.]  12 


1 30  The  City  Records. 

wise  repair  all  the  Batteries  which  are  fallen  down  and  all 
the  bridges  which  want  repairing  in  the  round  gang. 

1748,  Sept.  17.  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck  and  Sybrant  Van 
Schaicke,  together  with  the  Treasurer  are  by  this  board 
allowed  further  time  till  next  munday  to  overlook  the 
accounts  which  are  to  be  laid  before  the  treasury  and 
make  report  thereof  to  the  Common  Council. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  Barent  Ten  Eyck  and  Jo- 
hannis  Vol:  Dow  go  and  desire  Langaserie  and  the  other 
french  Gen1  that  came  with  the  flag  Truces  from  Canada, 
to  come  to  Ackerman's  to  let  the  mayor  and  corporation 
know  the  meaning  of  their  coming  to  this  town. 

The  french  Gen1  accordingly  appeared,  and  being  askd 
their  business,  said  their  Pass  was  with  Colio.  Johnson, 
but  if  the  mayor  pleased  they  would  wait  on  him  to- 
morrow in  the  afternoon  with  their  Pass,  which  was  re- 
solved to  be  sufficient. 

1748,  Sept.  20.  The  mayor  reports  to  this  board  that 
Messrs.  Lingrey  and  Langaserie  had  been  to  his  house 
last  Sunday  in  the  afternoon,  the  time  appointed  by  the 
Common  Council  last  Saturday  convened,  but  did  not 
produce  their  Pass  as  they  engaged  to  do,  but  promised 
to  do  it  on  Munday,  which  they  have  not  done,  and  that 
Major  Collins  asked  them  what  reason  they  could  give 
why  they  did  not  show  their  Pass  to  the  mayor,  who  had 
an  undoubted  right  to  demand  it,  they  replyed  that  they 
were  given  to  understand  by  Collo.  William  Johnson  that 
they  were  not  oblidged  to  do  it,  as  they  were  directed  to 
him. 

1748,  Sept.  29.  This  day  being  appointed  by  the 
Charter  for  choosing  and  electing  corporation  officers  the 
following  persons  were  chosen  to  serve  for  the  year  en- 
suing according  to  the  directions  of  the  Charter: 

First  Ward — John  De  Peyster  and  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck, 
aldermen;  Folkert  P.  Dow  and  Joseph  Yates,  assistants; 
Jacobus  Sharpe  and  Jacob  Cooper,  constables. 

Second  Ward — Hans  Hansen  and  John  Glen,  aldermen; 
John  R,  Bleecker  and  John  Beekman,  Jun'r,  assistants; 
David  Becker  and  Marta  Freest,  constables. 


The  City  Records.  -i$l 

Third  Ward — Coenraet  Ten  Eyck  and  Abra:  Do\v, 
aldermen;  Harmanis  Wendell,  Jun'r,  and  Harme  Gans'e- 
voort,  assistants;  William  W.  Van  Den  Bergh  and  David 
Abeel,  constables. 

The  Common  Council  appoints  Gerret  C.  Van  Den 
Bergh  for  city  treasurer  or  chamberlain;  Johannis  Seeger 
for  marshal;  William  W.  Van  Den  Bergh,  high  constable. 

1748,  Oct.  12.  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  treasurer 
to  pay  unto  Dirck  Ten  Broeck  and  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck 
for  an  account  which  was  due  unto  John  Bell  as  whipper 
for  the  city  from  pmo.  May  1745  to  pmo.  Nov'r  follow- 
ing, being  6  months,  each  JE3. 

1748,  Oct.  14.  Jacob  C!  Ten  Eyck  produced  a  com- 
mission for  mayor  of  the  city  of  Albany,  &c.  for  the  en- 
suing year  and  took  the  oaths  appointed  by  law,  sign'd 
the  Test  and  was  sworn  into  the  office  of  mayor  and 
coroner  for  the  city  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany. 

Thomas  Williams,  Jun'r,  produced  in  Comon  Council 
a  commission  wherein  he  was  appointed  high  sheriff  for 
the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  he  took  the  oaths  ap- 
pointed by  law,  sign'd  the  Test,  and  took  an  oath  for 
the  due  execution  of  his  office. 

1748,  Oct.  27.  Ordered  the  clerk  to  draw  a  Petition, 
and  send  Joh's  Seger  to  the  mayor  to  have  it  signed,  to 
be  laid  before  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province  of 
New  York.  The  Petition  is  as  follows: 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  New  York,  humbly  sheweth: 

That  the  corporation  of  the  said  city  of  Albany  have 
been  put  to  the  Expence  of  severall  hundred  pounds  in 
repairing  their  fortifications  about  the  city  and  in  sup- 
plying fire  wood  and  candles  for  the  night  watches  over 
and  above  what  the  Generall  Assembly  have  already 
allowed  for  fire  wood  and  candles  and  for  providing 
powder  and  ball  for  the  poorest  of  the  inhabitants,  with- 
out any  fund  provided  for  the  repayment  of  that  expence 
besides  what  the  inhabitants  did  by  voluntary  taxing 
themselves  for  providing  and  setting  up  new  Stockadoes 


132  The  City  Records. 

where  the  old  ones  were  gone  to  decay,  and  whereas  the 
corporation  have  received  no  rent  from  their  tenants 
since  the  year  1744,  or  are  like  to  receive  any  for  some 
years  to  come,  tho'  a  peace  should  be  actually  concluded, 
the  settlements  of  their  tenants  being  destroyed  by  the 
enemy  during  the  war,  and  will  require  some  time  before 
they  can  settle  again*. 

Your  W'ps  Petitioners  have  directed  the  Representa- 
tives of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany  to  lay  before  your 
Hon'ble  House  sundry  accounts,  all  attested  except  a  few 
persons  who  are  dead,  removed  or  absent,  amounting  to 
the  sum  of  «£1082:9:2J,  which  were  actually  laid  out  for 
the  defence  of  the  city  against  the  enemy.  Severall  other 
sums  of  money  are  due  from  the  corporation  which  your 
petitioners  think  not  proper  to  trouble  your  Hon'ble 
house  with,  tho'  they  have  no  fund  at  present  to  pay  the 
same. 

Your  petitioners  therefore  do  most  humbly  beseech  your 
Hon'ble  House  to  take  the  premises  into  your  wise  and 
serious  consideration  and  grant  to  your  petitioners  such 
relief  as  the  distressed  circumstances  of  their  corporation 
do  call  for  and  as  to  your  wisdom  shall  seem  meet,  and 
your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

The  following  Letter  with  accounts  were  sent  to  the 
Representatives  of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany : 

ALBANY,  27  Oct.  1748. 

Gentlemen:  We  give  you  the  trouble  of  a  petition  to  be 
laid  before  your  Hon'ble  House,  praying  relief  to  enable 
us  to  pay  the  debts  we  have  contracted  by  occasion  of  the 
war,  we  have  likewise  sent  a  list  with  the  accounts  them- 
selves, all  attested,  except  a  few  persons,  some  of  whom 
are  dead,  some  removed  and  others  absent  from  home ;  our 
corporation  debts  are  some  hundred  pounds  more,  but  as 
they  are  not  for  the  imediate  expence  of  the  war,  we 
have  not  troubled  you  with  them. 

Mr.  Philip  Livingston,  Jr.  can  well  inform  you,  if  you 
make  any  doubt  of  any  of  the  accounts.  We  begg  you  will 
use  your  endeavours  with  your  Hon'ble  House  to  lay  a 
Provincial  tax  to  extricate  us  out  of  this  debt  or  the  cor- 


The  City  Records.  133 

poration  must  fall,  for  you  know  the  city  has  not  at  pre- 
sent one  penny  of  income  or  like  to  have  for  some  time 
should  a  peace  be  concluded. 

1748,  Nov.  12.  The  Common  Councill  appoints  fire 
masters  for  the  ensuing  year,  viz1: 

First  Ward — Do  we  Van  Veghte  and  Job's  son  of  Jo- 
hannis  Jan  Lansingh. 

Second  Ward—Gerret  Staats  and  Luykas  T.  Wittbeck. 

Third  Ward — Johannis  Jacobus  Lansingh*  and  Johan- 
nisPruyn,  Jun'r. 

Whereas  on  the  29th  Sep1  last  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck 
was  elected  alderman  for«the  first  ward  of  the  city  of 
Albany,  and  whereas  since  that  time  (to  wit)  on  the  14 
Oct.  following,  he  produced  a  comission  for  mayor,  &c. 
of  this  city,  took  the  oaths  appointed  by  law,  sign'd  the 
Test,  and  the  same  day  was  sworn  into  his  office, 
Wherefore  it  is  ordered  and  resolved  by  this  board  that 
a  new  election  be  held  on  the  17th  of  this  instant  for 
chusing  another  alderman  for  the  first  ward  of  this  city, 
and  that  John  De  Peyster,  Esq.,  al'n  for  first  ward  do 
give  notice  accordingly. 

Ordered  the  clerk  to  give  warrents  to  the  fire  masters 
to  go  round  every  mayor's  court  and  from  thence  once 
every  fortnight  and  make  report  every  mayor's  court  to 
the  mayor  and  aldermen  of  their  proceedings,  and  that  the 
clerk  sign  said  warrants  by  order  of  the  Common  Coun- 
cill. 

1748,  Nov.  22.  Pursuant  to  a  resolve  .made  the  12th 
instant  for  electing  an  alderman  in  the  room  of  the  pre- 
sent mayor  on  the  17th  instant,  Tobias  Rykeman  is  re- 
turned for  alderman  by  plurality  of  votes. 

The  mayor  this  day  laid  the  city  before  the  Comon 
Councill  and  said  that  Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  Esq.  late 
mayor  had  delivered  the  same  to  him  as  was  formerly 
usual  for  the  mayor  going  of  to  do  to  the  new  mayor, 
but  that  as  the  present  mayor's  opinion  always  was  that 
the  city  seal  should  be  delivered  to  the  keeping  of  the 
clerk  of  the  Comon  Councill,  he  desired  the  consent  of 
this  board  that  the  same  may  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Philip 


134  The  City  Records. 

G.  Livingston,  the  present  clerk,  and  that  he  may  be 
prohibited  by  the  Comon  Councill  to  affix  the  same  to 
any  instrument  before  the  mayor  certifyed  the  same  and 
gave  an  order  to  affix  the  same  to  his  certificate.  That 
he  be  prohibited  to  affix  the  same  to  a  lease  or  release 
without  order  of  Comon  Councill  and  in  Comon  Councill, 
but  in  the  mayor's  absence  the  clerk  may  affix  the  same 
to  any  instrument  by  the  order  of  three  aldermen,  which 
they  are  impowered  to  do  by  the  charter,  and  that  in 
case  the  clerk  should  go  out  of  town  that  he  leave  the 
seal  in  time  of  his  absence  with  the  mayor  or  any  one  of 
the  aldermen,  who  are  not  to  make  use  of  the  same,  but 
pursuant  to  the  above  directions,  and  deliver  it  back 
again  on  his  return.  Resolved,  that  the  above  regula- 
tions concerning  the  city  be  a  standing  resolution  of  the 
Comon  Councill,  and  that  no  mayor  for  the  future  have 
the  keeping  of  the  city  seal  unless  in  the  absence  of  the 
clerk  as  aforesaid. 

Resolved  also  that  no  freedom  of  this  city  be  given 
privately  to  any  stranger,  but  that  all  persons,  natural 
born  subjects  or  naturally  desiring  to  be  admitted  free- 
man of  this  corporation  may  have  their  freedoms  pub- 
lickly  given  in  Comon  Councill  and  an  entry  made 
thereof  in  their  minutes ;  likewise  no  honorary  freedom 
be  given  to  any  person  of  distinction  but  by  consent  of 
Comon  Councill. 

The  mayor  pursuant  to  the  above  resolve  delivered 
the  city  seal  unto  Mr.  Philip  G.  Livingston  in  Comon 
Councill. 

Madam  Van  Renselaer  agreed  this  day  with  this  board 
at  her  house  to  let  the  corporation  have  the  same  liberty 
in  the  woods  of  the  manor  of  Renselaerswick  as  was 
granted  by  Collo.  Kiliaen  Van  Renselaear,  Esq.,  late  lord 
of  said  manor,  on  the  18th  feb.  17 If,  in  consideration 
they  pay  her  eleven  pounds  per  annum.  Agreed  during 
her  adm'n. 

1748,  Dec.  21.  Ordered  the  clerk  to  sign  a  receipt  in 
behalf  of  the  corporation  for  a  half  barrel  powder  recd 
from  Sybrant  G.  Van  Schaick,  in  lieu  of  powder  he  bor- 


The  City  Records.  135 

rowed  from  the   corporation  when  the   Gov'r  was  here 
last. 

Resolved  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  board  that  a 
night  watch  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  men  be  kept  in  this  city, 
and  hope  the  inhabitants  will  not  screen  themselves  from 
that  duty  while  they  think  it  is  absolutely  necessary  for 
the  welfare  of  this  city. 

Robert  Lansing  agreed  with  this  board  to  keep  the 
stores  belonging  to  the  Gun  whereof  he  is  Gunner,  and 
give  an  inventory  thereof  to  the  clerk,  and  keep  the  pow- 
der, shot  and  other  materials  belonging  to  the  same  at  his 
own  risque  till  demanded  by  Comon  Councill. 

Christiaen  Legransey  agrees  as  above  for  Blockhouse 
No.  4. 

Nicholas  Van  Schake  agrees  as  above  for  Blockhouse 
No.  7. 

Jellis  De  Garmow  agrees  as  above  for  Blockhouse  No.  3. 

Johannis  Hunn  agrees  as  above  for  Blockhouse  No.  1. 

Dirck  Hunn  agrees  as  above  for  Blockhouse  No.  2. 

Tobias  Ten  Eyck,  for  Ten  Eyck's  Battery,  agrees  as 
above. 

Michael  Bassit  agrees  as  above  for  the  Grand  Battery. 

Geluyn  Verplank  agrees  as  above  for  the  Blockhouse 
No.  5. 

John  Dow  agrees  as  above  for  Blockhouse  No.  9. 

William  Fry,  single  Gun,  whereof  he  is  Gunner,  agrees 
as  above. 

174;;,  March  13.  Resolved  that  the  freedom  of  this 
city  be  presented  to  Mr.  Philip  G.  Livingston,  and  that 
the  mayor  sign,  seal  and  deliver  the  same  unto  him  as  a 
free  gift  in  behalf  of  this  corporation. 

As  likewise  its  Resolved  that  the  freedom  of  this  cor- 
poration be  given  unto  Cap1  Volkert  P.  Dow. 

Resolved  that  the  request  of  Peter  Brower,  that  after 
he  resign  his  deed  for  a  tract  of  land  lying  on  the  Mo- 
hawks river,  containing  six  morgan  more  or  less,  from 
this  corporation  for  two  sk:  of  wheat  for  each  morgan 
per  annum,  a  new  one  be  executed  for  the  annual  rent  of 
one  sk:  of  wheat  per  morgan,  and  that  the  deed  be  exe- 


136  The  City  Records. 

cuted  for  the  land  surveyed  by  Mr.  Jno.  R.  Bleecker  in 
the  year  1740,  containing  eleven  morgan. 

1749,  April  3.  This  board  agrees  with  Dan'l  Mac 
Michael,  to  let  him  have  the  house  and  land  formerly  in 
the  possession  of  Isaac  Van  Valkenbergh,  to  have  it  five 
years  for  repairing  the  said  house  in  such  a  manner  as 
shall  afterwards  be  agreed  on,  and  to  have  it  fifteen 
years  after  the  expiration  of  five  years,  for  the  rent  of 
four  pounds  per  annum,  to  be  paid  annually. 

The  constables  of  this  city  were  ordered  to  notify  the 
following  persons  to  appear  before  this  board,  and  the 
following  appeared  and  were  ordered  to  appear  next 
mayor's  court  with  sufficient  sureties  for  their  appear- 
ance at  the  next  Generall  sessions  to  answer  what  they 
know  of  breaking  down  the  market  houses  in  this  city 
of  which  they  are  suspected  to  be  concerned  in  breaking 
down  part  of  that  one  which  stands  in  the  second  ward, 
viz1:  Wouter  De  Foreest,  Jno.  Knoet,  Dirck  M.  Van 
Der  Heyden,  Daniel  R.  Winne,  Bastiaen  Fisher,  Jacob  Van 
Der  Heyden,  Jacob  De  Garmo,  Dirck  Ahu:  Roseboom. 

The  following  were  likewise  suspected,  viz  :  William 
G.  Van  Den  Bergh,  David  D.  Groesbeek,  Lewis  Van 
Antwerpe,  Volkert  G.  Van  Den  Bergh,  Harmanis  Jacobse 
Wendell. 

Gerret  Roseboom,  and  Tobias  Ten  Eyck  is  suspected  to 
have  been  assistant  in  breaking  down  that  markett  house 
in  the  third  ward. 

1749,  May  6.  The  following  ordinances  were  pub- 
lished, viz1:  An  ordinance  for  cleaning  the  streets.  Do. 
for  preventing  cuting  down  the  Stockadoes  of  this  city  or 
breaking  down  or  carrying  away  the  boards  affixed  to  the 
top  of  the  same,  or  the  boards  and  other  timber  belonging 
to  the  Blockhouses  and  Batteries. 

This  board  agrees  with  Johannis  Seger  that  he  shall 
have  about  seven  or  eight  morgan  of  land  lying  upon 
the  Beaver  kill,  beginning  a  litle  above  the  place  called 
the  five  Steene,  running  up  from  thence  along  both 
sides  of  the  Kill  till  it  contains  about  7  or  8  morgan, 
upon  condition  that  he  has  it  ten  years  for  clearing  it 


The  City  Records.  137 

and  ten  years  after  for  the  annual  rent  of  3s.  for  each 
morgan;  to  commence  from  the  first  day  of  this  inst.,  May. 

1749,  May  27.  Kesolved  by  this  board  that  the 
boards  fixed  on  top  of  the  Stockadoes  be  sold  at  publick 
vandue  on  the  third  day  of  June  next,  and  that  an  adver- 
tisement be  put  up  to  give  publick  notice  hereof. 

1749,  Sept.  12.  Whereas  the  powder  belonging  to  this 
corporation  may  be  spoil'd  by  keeping,  this  board  judge- 
ing  it  most  for  the  publick  good  that  the  same  be  sold, 
have  resolved  that  the  said  powder  be  sold  at  publick 
vandue  on  fryday  the  15th  inst. 

1749,  Sept.  18.  Johannes  J.  Lansing  made  applica- 
tion to  this  board  for  a  small  streek  of  land  lying  in  the 
third  of  this  city  between  the  lots  of  Abraham  Dow  and 
Hester  Switts,  containing  in  length  two  feet  on  the  north 
side  and  three  feet  on  the  south  side,  and  twenty  feet  in 
breadth  along  the  street,  all  Dutch  measure,  which  was 
granted,  and  ordered  that  the  mayor  execute  a  deed  for 
the  same  on  behalf  of  the  corporation  for  the  considera- 
tion of  thirty  shillings. 

Samuel  Cuyman  made  application  for  the  creek  behind 
his  lot  in  the  first  ward  of  this  city  as  far  as  the  breadth 
of  his  lot,  which  was  granted.  Order'd  that  the  mayor 
execute  a  deed  for  the  same  on  behalf  of  the  corporation 
for  the  consideration  of  twenty  shillings. 

1749,  Sept.  29.  This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Char- 
ter for  choosing  and  electing  corporation  officers  the  fol- 
lowing persons  were  chosen  to  serve  for  the  year  ensuing 
according  to  the  directions  of  the  Charter,  viz: 

First  Ward — John  De  Peyster  and  Isaac  Staats,  alder- 
men ;  Volkert  P.  Don w  and  Evert  H.  Wendell,  assistants ; 
Gysbert  Marselis  and  John  5  Lansing,  constables. 

Second  Ward — Hans  Hansen  and  John  Glen,  Esqs., 
aldermen;  John  R.  Bleeker  and  John  Beekman,  Jun'r, 
assistants;  Sam.  Pruyn,  Jun'r  and  William  Verplank, 
constables. 

Third  Ward — Abm.  Douw  and  Harme  Gansevoort, 
aldermen;  Harm's  H.  Wendell  and  Jerse  De  Foreest, 
assistants;  John  M.  Beekman,  constable. 


138  The  City  Records. 

The  Common  Council  chose  for  the  ensueing  year 
Cornelius  Santvoort,  treasurer  or  chamberlain.  He  to 
find  sufficient  sureties  to  be  bound  in  £500  for  the  due 
execution  of  his  office.  Joh's  Seger,  marshall.  Job's  5 
Lansing,  high  constable. 

1749,  Oct.  14.  Richard  Miller,  Esq.  produced  acom- 
ission  appointing  him  high  sheriff  of  the  city  and  county 
of  Albany,  and  took  the  oaths  appointed  by  law,  sign'd 
the  Test  and  was  sworn  to  the  due  execution  of  the  sd 
office. 

1749,  Oct.  21.  This  board  appoint  the  following  per- 
sons Fire  masters  for  this  city  for  the  ensueing  year,  viz: 

Peter  Waldron,  for  the  first  ward;  Gerret  Js.  Lan- 
singh  and  Egbert  Benj'n  Egbertson  for  the  second  ward; 
William  Winne  and  Joh's  S.  Pruyn  for  the  third  ward. 

Order'd  that  warrants  be  given  to  the  Fire  masters  of 
each  ward  accordingly,  and  that  the  clerk  sign  the  same 
by  order  of  Comon  Council,  which  warrants  are  in  the 
following  words,  viz: 

Whereas  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonality  of  the 
city  of  Albany  have  this  day  in  Comon  Council  appointed 
and  nominated  you  to  be  Fire  masters  of  the  .  .  .  ward 
of  this  city  for  the  year  ensueing,  you  are  therefore 
hereby  required  and  commanded  to  go  round  the  said 
.  .  .  ward  on  Monday  the  fourth  day  of  December  next, 
and  thence  once  every  fortnight,  viz:  on  the  Monday 
next  before  every  mayor's  court,  and  view  the  chimneys, 
hearths,  fire  places  and  places  where  people  do  gather 
their  ashes,  and  where  you  find  any  chimneys,  hearths 
or  fire  places  extraordinary  foul  or  dangerous,  or  ashes 
gather'd  in  any  dangerous  place  the  first  time  you  go 
round  your  ward,  you  are  to  give  warning  to  the  owner 
or  owners  to  sweep,  mend  or  remove  the  same  within 
five  hours  after  warning  given,  and  if  they  do  not  com- 
ply with  your  directions  within  the  time  limitted,  you 
are  hereby  impower'd  and  authorised  to  fine  the  owner 
or  owners  in  the  sum  of  three  shillings  to  your  own  use 
and  behoof  and  to  sue  for  the  same  before  the  mayor, 
recorder  or  any  one  of  the  aldermen  of  this  city.  And 


The  City  Records.,  139 

every  time  afterwards  when  you  go  round  your  ward  and 
find  any  defect  as  af3,  you  are  hereby  impower'd  imrne- 
diatly  to  fine  the  owner  or  owners  in  the  sum  of  three 
shillings  for  the  use  and  to  be  recover'd  as  aforesd,  and 
you  are  then  to  warn  such  person  or  persons  where  such 
defect  shall  be,  to  clean,  mend  or  remove  the  same 
within  five  hours,  which  if  they  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to 
do  you  are  to  fine  them  in  one  other  sum  of  three  shil- 
lings for  your  use  and  to  be  recover'd  as  af*.  You  are 
likewise  to  take  notice  that  no  hay,  straw  or  other  com- 
bustible matter  be  laid  in  any  dangerous  place  to  the 
owner  or  his  neighbour  unc^r  penalty  of  six  shillings  for 
each  day  such  combustible  matter  shall  lye  in  such  dan- 
gerous place  after  warning  given,  for  your  use  and  to  be 
recovered  as  af.  And  you  are  to  make  report  to  each 
mayor's  court  how  you  find  the  chimneys,  hearths,  fire 
places,  &c.  in  your  ward.  And  for  your  so  doing  this 
shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant.  Dated  in  Albany  the 
2 1st  day  of  Nov.  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  Majesties 
Reign,  1749.  Sign'd,  By  order  of  Comon  Council. 

JOHN  GOLDEN,  Clerk. 

1750,  May  19.  Mr.  Gerrit  C.  Van  Den  Bergh,  late 
treasurer,  laid  on  the  board  the  book  of  the  city  accounts 
whereby  it  appears -that  there  is  a  ballance  due  to  him 
of  £15:11:2.  Resolv'd  by  the  board  that  a  note  of  hand 
be  given  him  for  the  same  payable  out  of  the  first  money 
that  comes  into  the  treasury,  and  that  the  inayor  sign 
the  same  on  the  behalf  of  the  corporation. 

1750,  Sept.  29.  This  day  being  appointed  by  the 
Charter  for  choosing  and  electing  corporation  officers  the 
following  persons  where  choosen  to  serve  for  the  year 
ensuing  according  to  the  directions  of  the  Charter,  viz: 

First  Ward — John  De  Peyster  and  Joh's  van  Sante, 
aldermen;  Evert  Wendell,  Jr.  and  John  E.  Wendell,  as- 
sistants; Roelof  Segor  and  Daniel  Huson,  Jr.,  constables. 

Second  Ward — John  Glen  and  Jacob  TenEyck,  alder- 
men ;  John  Rutse  Bleecker  and  John  Beekman,  Jr.,  as- 
sistants; Evert  Joh's  Wendell  and  John  H.  Roseboom, 
constables. 


140  The  City  Records. 

Third  Ward — Abraham  Douw  and  Harme  Gansevoort, 
aldermen;  Isaak  Swits  and  Harmanis  H.  Wendell,  as- 
sistants; Wouter  de  Foreest  and  Tueniss  Bratt,  consta- 
bles. 

The  Common  Counsel  appointed  for  the  ensuing  year 
Cornelis  van  Santford  to  be  their  chamberlain,  and  it  is 
further  agreed  by  the  board  to  agree  with  him  on  new 
for  his  commissions  for  his  trouble,  and  did  likewise 
nominate  and  appoint  Job's  Seger  to  be  marchel  for  the 
ensuing  year. 

1750,  Oct.  8.  Whereas  disorderly  persons  have  cut 
some  of  the  cows  in  this  town  to  the  great  detriment  of 
the  citizens,  and  the  offender  being  as  yet  unknown  and 
difficult  to  be  found  out:  It  is  therefore  Resolved  by  the 
Common  Counsell  that  a  reward  of  three  pound  be  given 
to  any  person  or  persons  who  shall  find  out  or  discover 
the  offender  or  offenders  in  order  that  they  may  be  pro- 
secuted according  to  law,  and  we  do  hereby  order  the 
clerk  to  publish  this  our  Resolve,  by  putting  up  adver- 
tisements in  the  most  publick  places  in  this  town,  and 
that  the  cryer  do  give  notice  of  this  our  Resolve  by  cry- 
ing it  about  the  town. 

Johannis  Seger  made  application  to  this  board  for  two 
small  slips  of  wood  land  on  the  Gallis  hill,  that  is  to  say, 
a  small  tryangle  to  ye  southward  of  his  land,  containing 
about  one  acre,  and  lyes  between  his  land  and  the  old 
Schonectady  road,  the  other  slip  lyes  at  the  west  side  of 
his  land  and  is  also  bounded  by  the  said  road,  and  con- 
tains about  one  acre,  which  was  granted  and  order'd  that 
the  mayor  execute  a  deed  for  the  same  on  behalf  of  the 
corporation  for  the  consideration  of  fieftien  shilling. 

1750,  Oct.  15.  Sybrant  G.  van  Schaick  produced  a 
commission  for  Recorder  of  the  city  of  Albany  and  took 
oath  appointed  by  law,  sign'd  the  Test  and  sworn  to  the 
office  of  recorder  and  justice  of  the  peace. 

Robert  Sanders  produced  a  commission  for  Mayor  of 
the  city  of  Albany  for  the  insueing  year  and  took  the 
oaths  appointed  by  law,  sign'd  the  Test  and  was  sworn 
unto  the  office  of  mayor  and  coroner  and  clerk  of  the 


The  City  Records.  141 

market  for  this  city  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany. 

Richard  Miller  produced  a  commission  in  Common 
Council  whein  he  was  appointed  high  sheriff  for  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany,  he  took  the  oaths  appointed  by 
law,  sign'd  the  Test  and  took  an  oath  for  the  due  execu- 
tion of  his  office. 

1750,  Oct.  23.  Jacobus  Reatliff  made  application  to 
this  board  that  his  son  John  should  have  the  ringing  of 
the  Bell  at  twelf  a  clock  at  noon  and  at  eight  of  the  clock 
at  night,  which  is  granted  according  for  his  son. 

This  board  appoints  the  following  persons  Fire  mas- 
ters for  this  city  for  the  insuing  year,  viz: 

William  Fryer,  Joseph  Jo's  Yaets,  for  the  first  ward. 
Abraham  Yaets,  Pieter  Williams,  for  the  second  ward. 
Dirck  Bratt  van  Schoonhove,  Sander  J'se  Lansing,  for 
the  third  ward. 

1750,  Oct.  24.  An  ordinance  published  for  the  due 
observance  of  the  Lord's  day  and  the  regulating  Negro 
slaves. 

Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  city  bounderies  shall 
be  forthwith  surveyed  by  John  Rutse  Bleccker,  who 
has  undertaken  to  do  the  same  for  the  sum  of  three 
pounds  for  his  trouble,  and  to  pay  when  the  city  is  in 
capacity. 

1750,  Dec.  8.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck  and  Evert  Wendell 
offered  their  service  gratis,  to  go  and  assist  John  R. 
Bleecker  in  surveying  this  city  boundaris,  and  the  said 
Ten  Eyck  and  Wendell  has  undertaken  togitt  three  men 
to  bear  the  chain. 

175'/,  Feb.  26.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  an  order  be 
drawn  upon  the  Treasurer  of  New  York  for  £250,  which 
is  allowed  by  the  Generall  Assembly  for  the  use  of  the  cor- 
poration of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  that  Abraham  Douw, 
Esq.  is  appointed  to  receive  the  same  and  his  receipt 
shall  be  sufficient  voucher  and  discharge  for  the  same. 

Ordered  by  this  board  that  advertisement  shall  be  pub- 
lished that  on  Saturday  next  the  city  ferry  to  Greenbush 

[Annals,  x.]  13 


142  The  City  Records. 

shall  be  lett  to  farm  to  the  highest  bieder,  on  each  of  the 
said  ferry  one  person  for  the  ensueing  year.  For  every 
person  if  single,  3d.;  if  more  2d.  a  p.  For  every  head 
of  cattle  9d.  For  every  hundred  weight  of  skins  or 
beaver,  3d.  and  so  in  proportion  in  a  greater  or  lesser 
quantity. 

175? ,  March  2.  A  petion  presented  to  this  board  from 
severall  inhabitants  of  this  city  for  to  make  a  well  in 
third  ward  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Dirck  Ten  broeck,  de- 
ceased, which  is  granted  accordingly,  and  the  place  ap- 
pointed opposite  the  middle  of  the  street  that  leeds 
towards  the  mill  about  ten  foot  distance  to  the  north 
of  the  lott  ground  of  Dirckje  van  Vranke. 

Ordered  by  this  board  that  the  aldermen  and  assist- 
ants of  each  ward  are  to  view  the  city  Laders  each  in 
their  own  ward  and  bring  report  thereof  to  the  Common 
Councell. 

According  to  the  last  Resolve,  this  day  sold  at  publick 
vandue  the  ferry  on  the  east  of  the  river  to  Cornelis  van 
Vechten  for  the  sum  of  three  pounds  nineteen  shillings 
currant  money  of  the  province  of  New  York. 

As  also  the  west  side  of  the  river  of  the  said  ferry  to 
Jeremiah  pemerton  for  the  sum  of  three  pounds  four 
shillings  currant  money  as  aforesaid,  and  to  give  suerity 
for  the  money  to  the  corporation,  as  also  to  observe  the 
Resolve  made  by  this  board. 

1751,  March  26.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  notice 
shall  be  given  to  Cornells  van  Vegte  and  Jeremiah  Pe- 
merton that  they  are  to  come  to  the  clerk  between  this 
day  and  next  Saturday  before  one  of  the  clock  in  ye  after- 
noon of  that  day  in  order  to  pay  or  give  surety  to  the 
Resolve  made  on  the  2  day  of  this  instant,  march,  for  the 
sum  they  have  bought  the  ferry  or  else  it  will  be  sold  to 
any  other  person. 

Whereas  application  is  made  to  this  board  by  the  Car- 
men of  this  city  that  their  is  no  mention  made  in  the 
last  ordinance  about  riding  bricks  and  hay,  therefore 
it  is  resolved  by  this  board  that  they  shall  have  for  every 
load  of  bricks  sixpence,  and  for  every  load  of  hay  two 


The  City  Records.  143 

shillings,  and  for  every  load  of  grain  or  salt,  if  they  must 
carry  it  from  or  up  a  garret,  out  or  in  a  seller,  for  e.very 
such  frait  sixpence  and  no  more. 

1751,  April  4.  Persuant  to  a  Resolve  made  on  the 
26th  day  of  March  the  said  Cornelis  van  Vegte  and  Jere- 
miah Pemerton  were  sarved  with  a  copy  and  sumons 
thereof,  and  no  notice  is  taken  of  the  same  by  them  or 
either  of  them,  therefore  this  board  is  of  opinion  that 
ye  said  Cornelis  and  Jeremiah  are  from  henceforth  dis- 
charged. 

Whereas  Mr.  Job's  Ten  Broeck  and  Mr.  Barnardus  Bratt 
have  this  day  farmed  the  city  ferry  from  this  board  for 
five  pounds  New  York  currancy  and  to  give  surety  within 
fourteen  days,  and  to  take  no  more  ferriage  than  is  Re- 
solved by  this  board  on  the  26  day  of  February  last,  and 
an  ordinance  be  published  that  no  person  or  persons 
shall  presume  to  ferry  than  the  above  named  persons  on 
forfiteing  three  shillings  for  every  default. 

1751,  Aug.  15.  John  Carindus  appeared  here  in  Com- 
mon Councill  and  produced  a  kind  of  ore  which  he  says 
he  has  found  within  the  limits  of  this  city,  and  agreed 
with  this  board  to  show  to  two  persons  of  this  board  the 
place,  and  if  it  appears  to  be  a  mine  then  he  is  to  have 
one  thousand  pounds  and  fifty  pounds  yearly  during  his 
naturall  life  out  of  the  said  mine,  after  all  charges  paid 
and  not  otherwise. 

1751,  Sept.  29.  This  being  the  day  appointed  by  the 
Charter  for  choosing  and  electing  corporation  officers, 
the  following  persons  where  choosen  to  serve  for  the 
year  ensueing  according  to  the  directions  of  the  Charter: 

First  Ward — John  De  Peyster,  Johannis  van  Sante, 
aldermen;  Jellis  de  Garmo,  John  Wendell,  assistants; 
Marta  Mynderse  and  John  Danels,  constables. 

Second  Ward — Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  John  Glen,  aldermen; 
John  Rutse  Bleecker,  John  Beekman,  Jr.,  assistants; 
Hendrick  Bleecker,  Jr.  and  Phelip  Lansing,  constables. 

Third  Ward — Abraham  Douw,  Harme  Gansevoort, 
aldermen;  Isaak  Swits,  Harmanus  Wendell,  assistants; 
John  Cluet,  Jr.  and  Volkert  G.  van  den  Bergh,  constables. 


144  The  City  Records. 

The  Common  Councill  choose  John  Roseboom  treasurer 
or  chamberlain,  he  to  find  sufficient  sueretyes  to  be 
bound  for  the  due  execution  of  his  office.  Johannis  Se- 
ger,  marchell,  John  Cluet,  Jr.,  high  constable. 

1751,  Oct.  8.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  Block- 
houses be  repaired  and  that  the  aldermen  and  assistants 
of  each  ward  shall  view  the  same,  each  in  their  respec- 
tive wards,  and  order  to  be  done  what  is  necessary  and 
that  the  cost  thereof  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  wheat  now 
in  the  treasurer's  custody. 

It  is  further  Resolved  to  send  a  Letter  to  the  members 
of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany  with  the  accounts  for 
the  matirals  and  work  done,  &c.  occasioned  by  the  late 
warr  to  the  following  persons,  chiefly  iraployed  by  order 
of  the  corporation,  as  judging  at  that  time  necessary  for 
the  security  of  this  city  and  county,  which  runs  thus: 

Gentlemen:  We  inclose  you  once  more  a  list  and  the 
accounts  of  the  debts  contracted  the  past  warr  in  the 
defence  of  this  city  and  county,  which  we  have  carefully 
examined,  and  what  we  adjudged  did  particularly  belong 
to  this  city  we  have  deducted  thereout,  as  you  will  find 
per  the  inclosed  accounts,  which  are  all  attested  except 
a  few  persons,  some  of  whome  are  absent,  some  removed 
and  some  dead.  The  debts  of  this  corporation  are  very 
considerable  and  the  income  hetherto  very  inconsider- 
able, so  that  we  are  at  present  in  a  very  deplorable  con- 
dition. We  therefore  beg  you  use  your  endeavour  with 
the  Honourable  House  to  give  this  corporation  such  re- 
lief as  the  distressed  circumstances  of  this  corporation 
require,  as  they  in  their  wisdom  shall  seem  meet.  We 
wish  you  all  helth  and  are  with  due  respect,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obliged  Humble  Servants. 
To  Mr.  Hans  Hansen: 

Sir — We  have  this  day  wrote  the  members  of  this  city 
and  county,  and  as  you  are  one  of  them,  we  think  it 
needless  to  give  you  here  the  contents  thereof,  shall 
therefore  only  refer  you  to  it,  and  beg  the  favour  of  you 
that  you  will  use  your  utmost  endeavour  to  put  things 
forward  for  a  Collony  charge,  and  if  that  can't  be  done 


The  City  Records.  145 

then  desire  you  to  use  your  endeavour  to  gitt  the  same  to 
be  paid  by  this  city  and  county ;  and  as  you  have  lately 
been  a  member  of  this  corporation  it  needs  not  to  intbrme 
you  of  our  deplorable  condition.  We  are  with  due  respect. 
P.  S.  This  please  to  keep  to  yourself,  and  if  you  judge 
proper  we  desire  you  to  speak  to  the  chief  justice  whom, 
we  doubt  not  but  will  assist  you  to  make  it  a  Colony 
charge. 

1751,  Oct.   25.     This  board  appointed  the  following 
persons  fire  masters  for  the  ensueing  year: 

John  Williams,  Cornelis  Clase  van  den  Berg,  first 
ward;  Anthony  Bleecker,  •  Gerardus  Lansingh,  second 
ward;  Johannis  Jacobse  Lansing,  Johannis  Gansevoort, 
third  ward. 

1752,  April  28.     Resolved  and  ordered  by  this  board 
that  the  old  Seal  of  this  corporation  now  in  the  hands 
and   possession  of  the   present  mayor   be  changed  and 
altered,  and  that  there  be  a  new  Seal  in  its  place,  which 
new  Seal  being  now  produced  to  this  board  and  approved 
of  by  them,    the  same  is  ordered   to  be  lodged   in  the 
hands  of  our  present  clerk  in  his  office  for  the  use  and 
behoof  of  this  corporation,   and  that  the  present  now 
new  Seal  be  henceforth  our  Seal  and  called,  deemed  and 
esteemed  the  Common  Seal  of  this  corporation  untill  it 
be  altered  and  changed,  and  the  aforesaid  former  Seal  be 
null  and  void  and  dead   in  law,  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses   whatsoever,    and  that  the  same  be  hereafter  no 
more  called  the  Common  Seal  of  this  corporation,  nor  to 
be  made  use  of  as  such  to  any  act,  instrument,  deed  or 
other  writeing  hereafter  at  the  perill  of  the  possessor 
thereof.     And  it  is  further  Resolved  and  ordered  that 
our  present  new  Seal  shall   not  be  made  use  of  to  any 
writeing  or  instrument  whatsoever,  except   it  be  in  our 
Common  Councill,  and  that  a  majority  of  our  Common 
Councill  shall  have  the  direction  to  what   instruments 
and  purposes  i(  shall  be  made  use  of  and  not  otherwise. 

1752,  June  8.  The  mayor  acquainted  this  board  that 
Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.  had  produced  his  majesty's  Signet 
and  Royal  sign  manuel  to  be  town  clerk  of  this  city  in 


146  The  City  Record*. 

the  last  mayor's  court  held  for  this  city,  did  then  and 
there  require  of  the  mayor  and  aldermen  then  present  to 
qualify  him  there  in  said  office;  whereupon  this  board 
Resolved  to  send  the  mayor  to  said  Wraxell.  Esq.  with 
the  following  answer,  viz1:  That  they  desired  some  time 
to  consult  with  men  of  more  judgment  in  such  matters 
as  they  could  pretend,  and  that  this  board  should  then 
give  him  their  answer;  whereon  it  is  further  Resolved 
by  this  board  to  write  to  his  Excellency  the  Honourable 
George  Clinton,  Esq.  the  following  Letter,  and  that  the 
mayor  sign  the  same  in  behalf  of  this. corporation  of  this 
city. 

ALBANY,  ye  8  June,  1752. 

To  his  Excellency  the  Hon'ble  George  Clinton,  Esq.  &c. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency — After  our  Respects  to 
your  Excellency  in  the  most  Humblest  manner  presented, 
we  beg  leave  and  think  it  our  duty  to  acquaint  your 
Excellency  that  Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.  appeared  on  the 
second  instant  in  the  mayor's  court  then  held  for  this 
city  before  the  mayor,  recorder  and  some  of  the  alder- 
men of  this  city  then  present,  and  did  then  and  there 
produce  to  us  in  court  his  majesty's  Signet  and  Royal 
sign  manuel,  unpresidented  unto  us,  whereby  the  said 
Wraxell  was  constituted  and  appointed  town  clerk,  clerk 
of  the  peace  and  clerk  of  the  common  pleas  in  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany,  and  to  be  the  secretary  or  agent 
for  the  Government  of  New  York  to  the  Indians ;  the  said 
commission  appeared  to  us  to  be  recorded  in  the  Secre- 
tary's office  of  New  York,  in  Lib:  Comissions  C  1,  page 
4,  and  also  appeared  thereon  a  certificate  under  Gold- 
brew  Banjard,  Esq's  hand  and  seal,  that  said  Wraxwell 
had  taken  the  oaths  appointed  by  law,  and  that  he  the 
said  Banjard  had  administered  unto  him  an  oath  for  the 
full  execution  of  the  severall  offices  mentioned  in  said 
comission  (except  the  office  of  town  clerk  of  the  city  of 
Albany),  further  added  in  said  certificate  that  the  office 
was  to  be  sworn  by  the  Charter  of  the  said  city  before 
the  mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  said  city,  and  demanded 
in  said  mayor's  court  of  the  mayor,  recorder  and  alder- 


The  City  Records.  147 

men  then  and  there  present,  to  quallifye  him  in  the  office 
of  town  clerk,  did  the  same  in  the  court  of  sessions  and 
common  pleas.  Whereupon  the  Common  Council  of  this 
city  met,  and  it  was  Resolved  as  it  was  a  cause  of  great 
consiquence  and  unpresidented  to  them,  and  a  town  clerk 
already  qualifyed  in  obediance  to  a  former  commission 
under  the  great  Seal  of  our  province  of  New  York,  to 
reserve  our  answer  untill  we  had  considered  and  con- 
sulted those  of  more  experience  and  judgment  in  such 
matters  as  we  can  pretend  to,  for  which  reasons  we 
hereby  humbly  apply  to  your  Excellency  to  write  us  a 
few  lines  signifying  to  us  therein  how  and  in  what  man- 
ner your  Excellency  thinks  best  and  safest  for  us  and  our 
Charter  to  act  in  this  dubious  and  important  affair,  as 
we  trust  your  Excellency  and  believe  will  give  us  better 
advise  as  we  can  expect  of  any  other  we  can  apply  to. 
We  conclude  wishing  your  Excellency  and  all  yours, 
health  and  prosperity,  and  are  with  profound  respect, 

Your  Excellency  obedient  and  most  humble  servants. 

1752,  June  16.  Resolved  by  this  board  to  give  Mr. 
Smith  three  pound  for  his  advise  relating  the  swearing 
Mr.  Wraxel  in  the  office  of  town  [clerk]  for  this  city. 
Mr.  Jacob  Ten  Eyck  disbursed  the  said  three  pounds  as 
also  eighteen  shillings  to  Job's  Seger,  which  is  allowed 
to  him  by  this  board. 

Resolved  that  an  order  be  drawn  upon  the  Treasurer 
for  so  much  wheat  to  be  paid  to  Jacob  Ten  Eyck  for  the 
£3:: 8,  at  the  rate  of  3s.  9d.  per  skiple,  and  to  charge 
Job's  Seger  account  for  18s. 

1752,  June  25.  The  mayor  produced  a  Letter  from 
his  Excellency  the  Governour,  dated  ye  18  June,  1752, 
which  is  an  answer  to  our  Letter  entered  on  record  the 
8  of  this  instant,  June. 

The  mayor  also  produced  Mr.  Smith's  advice  under  his 
hand  what  regular  steps  to  be  takein  relateing  the  swear- 
ing of  Mr.  Wraxell  in  the  office  of  town  clerk,  and  ac- 
cording to  a  Resolve  made  the  16  of  this  instant,  Mr. 
Jacob  Ten  Eyck  has  paid  him  three  pound. 

1752,   June  29.     Whereas   Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.  pro- 


148  The  City  Records. 

duced  a  commission  to  us,  from  his  majesty,  under  his 
Royall  Signet  and  sign  manuel,  dated  at  St.  James  on  the 
15th  November,  1750,  and  delivered  to  us  a  copy  thereof 
certifyed  thereon  it  to  be  a  true  copy  of  his  majesty's 
signet  and  sign  manual,  and  the  certificates  thereon  of 
the  deputy  secretary  of  the  province  of  New  York  to  be 
also  true,  the  same  is  recorded  in  the  Secretary's  office 
of  this  province  appointing  him  town  clerk,  clerk  of  the 
peace  and  clerk  of  the  common  pleas  in  this  county  and 
city  during  his  majesty's  pleasure,  and  also  hath  produced 
a  certificate  of  Golbrew  Bangar,  deputy  secretary  of  this 
province,  that  by  virtue  of  his  majesty's  writ  of  didimus 
Potestatem  to  him  directed,  dated  23  day  of  October,  1746, 
to  swear  all  officers  then  and  thereafter  to  be  appointed 
within  the  said  province,  he  did  on  the  27th  day  of  May 
last  administer  to  the  said  Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.  the  usual 
State  oaths  and  also  the  declaration  as  by  law  appointed 
and  received  his  subscription  to  the  said  oaths  and  declara- 
tion, and  that  he  did  then  also  administer  unto  him  an 
oath  for  the  full  execution  of  the  several  offices  men- 
tioned in  his  majesty's  Signet  and  Royal  sign  manual, 
except  the  office  of  town  clerk  of  the  city  of  Albany, 
which  officers  is  by  the  Charter  of  the  said  city  to  be 
sworn  before  the  mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  said  city,  as 
by  the  said  certificate  dated  in  the  city  of  New  York  the 
twenty-seventh  day  of  May,  1752,  doth  appear,  and  the 
said  Peter  Wraxell  thereupon  hath  desired  us  to  admin- 
ister to  him  the  oath  required  by  law  for  the  faithful  ex- 
ecution of  the  said  office  of  town  clerk. 

And  whereas  Harme  Gansevoort,  Esq.  hath  produced 
to  us  a  commision  in  his  majesty's  name  under  the  Seal 
of  this  province,  bearing  date  the  twenty-fifth  day  of 
September,  1850,  appointing  him  town  clerk,  clerk  of 
the  peace  and  clerk  of  the  common  pleas  in  this  city  and 
county  of  Albany,  to  hold  the  said  offices  for  so  long  a 
time  as  he  shall  behave  himself  well,  and  it  appears  to  us 
that  on  or  about  the  second  day  of  October,  1750,  he 
produced  the  said  commission  and  was  duly  sworn  faith- 
fully to  execute  the  said  offices,  and  thereupon  entred 


The  City  Records.  149 

upon  execution  of  the  said  office  and  took  possession  of  the 
public  records  belonging  to  the  offices  and  now  hath  pos- 
session of  the  same,  and  the  said  Harme  Gansevoort  still 
claimeth  right  by  vertue  of  the  said  commission  to  hold 
the  offices  and  the  appurtenances  pursuant  to  the  said 
comission. 

We  therefore  being  willing  to  pay  all  due  obedience  to 
his  majesty  and  the  law,  and  by  no  means  to  prejudice 
the  right  of  the  contending  parties,  but  to  have  them 
dispute  each  others  title  in  due  course  of  law,  do  there- 
fore at  the  desire  of  the  said  Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.,  in  con- 
formity to  what,  hath  been  already  done  by  vertue  of  the 
didimus  potestatem  aforesaid,  consent  to  administer  to 
him  the  oath  for  the  faithfull  execution  of  the  office  of 
town  clerk,  at  the  same  time  by  no  means  intending  to 
convey  or  transfer  any  right  thereby  other  than  what  is 
consistant  with  law  or  to  prejudice  the  right  of  the  said 
Harme  Gansevoort. 

June  29th,  1752,  Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.  was  sworn  in 
the  said  office  of  town  clerk  accordingly. 

1752,  June  30.  Whereas  Peter  Wraxell,  Esq.  made 
application  yesterday  in  Common  Councill  and  demanded 
an  order  from  them  on  Mr.  Harme  Gansevoort  for  the 
records,  whereupon  it  is  Resolved  by  this  board  to  in- 
form themselves  further,  and  that  they  can  not  as  yet 
give  any  such  order  untill  they  have  further  advise,  and 
that  the  said  Gansevoort  lays  claim  thereto  by  vertue  of 
his  comission. 

Be  it  ordained  by  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and 
assistants  of  the  city  of  Albany  in  Common  Councill 
convened,  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  of 
the  same,  that  our  new  Seal  which  is  called  the  common 
seal,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  present  clerk,  shall 
and  may  be  forthwith  used  to  all  instruments,  writeings 
whatsoever  (excepting  to  such  grants,  leases,  bonds,  bills) 
relateing  to  this  corporation,  which  are  to  be  executed 
and  sealed  in  Common  Council.  And  be  it  ordained  by 
the  authority  aforesaid,  that  there  shall  be  paid  to  the 
mayor  or  aldermen  three  shillings  for  their  fees  and  to 


150  The  City  Records. 

the  clerk  for  puling  the  seal  to  any  instrument  six  shil- 
lings for  the  use  of  the  corporation  and  one  shilling  for 
the  clerk's  own  use.  If  used  to  a  freedom,  of  every  mer- 
chantt,  trader,  shopkeeper,  the  sum  of  thirty  shillings 
current  money  of  the  colony  of  New  York,  and  every 
handicraft  tradesman  the  sum  of  twelve  shillings  and  not 
under,  to  be  remitted  into  the  office  for  which  the  dark 
is  accountable  to  the  corporation. 

1752,  August  31.  The  mayor  produced  to  this  board 
a  true  copy  of  the  minutes  of  the  Governour  and  Councill 
wherein  they  desire  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonalty 
of  this  city  to  have  such  repair  done  at  present  as  is 
necessary  for  this  winter  season  for  ye  Sweg  Garrison, 
and  that  the  Governour  and  Councill  will  strongly  re- 
commend to  the  Generall  Assembly  for  the  payment 
thereof.  And  be  it  Resolved  by  this  board  that  a  Letter 
be  wrote  to  Mr.  Holland,  now  commanding  officer  of  the 
said  Garrison,  to  procure  so  much  bark  to  make  the  roof 
tyth,  and  that  two  glass  windows  be  made  and  sent  by 
the  first  opportunity. 

1752,  Oct.  12.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  the  order 
was  given  to  Mr.  Abraham  Douw  on  the  treasurer  of 
New  York,  by  a  resolution  made  on  the  26  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, I75y,  is  hereby  countermanded,  and  that  notice 
be  given  thereof  to  the  said  Abraham  Douw. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved  by  this  board  that  a  new 
order  be  given  to  Mr.  James  Stevenson  on  the  treasurer 
of  New  York  for  £250,  which  is  allowed  by  the  Generall 
Assembly  to  this  corporation,  and  his  receipt  shall  be  a 
sufficient  discharge,  and  that  the  clerk  shall  sign  the 
said  order  by  vertue  of  this  resolution. 

1752,  Sept.  29.  This  day  being  appointed  by  the 
Charter  for  electing  and  choosing  corporation  officers, 
the  following  were  choosen  to  serve  for  the  ensueing 
year  according  to  the  directions  af  the  Charter: 

First  Ward — John  de  Peyster  and  Johannis  Van  Sante, 
aldermen;  Volkert  P.  Douw  and  Barent  H.  Ten  Eyck, 
assistants ;  Harmanus  Schuyler  and  Gerrit  Van  Sante,  Jr., 
constables. 


The  City  Records.  151 

Second  Ward— Jacob  Ten  Eyck  and  John  Glen,  alder- 
men; John  R.  Bleecker  and  John  Beekman,  assistants; 
David  Groesbeck,  Jr.  and  Jacob  Bleeker  constables. 

Third  Ward — Abraham  Douw,  Harme  Gansevoort, 
aldermen;  Peter  de  Wandelaer,  Joh's  Ja.  Lansingh,  as- 
sistants; Hendrick  Everse,  William  Gl  van  den  Bergh, 
constables. 

The  Common  Councill  appointed  John  Roseboom  for 
city  treasurer  or  chamberlain ;  Johannis  Seger  for  mar- 
chall. 

1752,  Nov.  3.  This  board  appointed  the  following 
persons  fire  masters  for  this  city  for  the  ensueing  year: 

John  Van  Deusen,  Peter  Lansing,  for  the  first  ward; 
Anthony  Bleecker,  Samuel  Pruyn  for  ye  second  ward; 
Johannis  Becker,  Jun'r,  Anthony  van  der  See,  for  ye  third 
ward. 

Ordered  that  warrents  be  given  to  the  fire  masters  of 
each  ward  accordingly,  and  that  the  clerk  sign  the  same 
by  order  of  the  Common  Councill. 

Whereas  Mr.  James  Stevenson,  by  an  order  of  the 
mayor,  aldermen  and  assistants  of  this  city  received  from 
ye  treasurer  of  New  York  the  sum  of  ,£250,  New  York 
money,  which  said  sum  of  money  was  allowed  by  the 
Generall  Assembly  to  this  corporation.  Resolved  by  this 
board  that  Mr.  James  Stevenson's  bond  be  discharged  out 
of  the  said  £250,  which  bond  with  the  interest  amount  to 
£139:13;  done  accordingly.  That  the  overplus  remain 
in  his  hands  till  further  orders. 

It  is  further  Resolved  that  on  the  King's  birthday, 
which  will  be  the  tenth  of  this  instant  month,  shall  be 
spent  the  sum  of  three  pound  ten  shillings. 

1752,  Dec.  6.  Resolved  by  this  board  that  ye  dark 
write  a  Letter,  directed  to  Harme  Kuickerbaker,  Johan- 
nis de  Wandelaer  and  Wouter  Groesbeek.  to  consult  with 
the  rest  of  their  neighbours  to  send  a  proper  person  to 
give  an  answer  wether  they  will  consent  to  leave  the 
disputes  for  the  rent  and  arrearages  due  to  us  to  three 
indifferent  persons,  and  make  their  answer  on  or  before 
the  25  day  of  this  instant,  December,  otherwise  they 


152  The  City  Records. 

may  expect  to  be  prosecuted,  and  that  the  clerk  sign  the 
same  in  behalf  of  the  Common  Councill. 

1753,  Jan.  9.  Resolved  that  an  order  be  drawn  upon 
the  treasurer  to  deliver  unto  Joh's  Seger  all  the  paper 
money  now  in  his  custody  belonging  to  this  city  to  pay 
Jacob  Ten  Eyck  part  of  a  bond,  and  that  ye  clerk  sign  ye 
same  in  behalf  of  the  Common  Councill. 

By  vertue  of  the  above  order,  Joh's  Seger  delivered 
here  in  Common  Councill  the  sum  of  thirty  pounds  in 
paper  bills. 

Mr.  James  Stevenson  has  this  day  delivered  in  Com- 
mon Councill  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  ten  pounds 
seven  shillings,  which  being  the  remainder  of  the  two 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  which  he  has  received  by  vertue 
of  an  order  from  the  Common  Councill  from  ye  treasurer 
in  York. 

This  board  has  this  day  in  Common  Councill  paid  to 
Jacob  Ten  Eyck  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
pounds,  and  also  one  pound  ten  shillings  interest  for  ye 
same,  in  part  of  a  bond  of  two  hundred  pounds  and  have 
taken  receipts  upon  the  back  of  the  said  bond  for  the 
same. 

This  board  sends  by  Joh's  Seger  one  Bag  with  eighteen 
pounds  twelve  shillings  in  pennys  and  one  five  shilling 
bill,  as  also  a  note  of  hand  from  Marta  Mynderse  for 
twelve  pounds,  to  deliver  ye  treasurer  and  take  a  receipt 
for  the  same,  which  receipt  is  to  be  delivered  to  ye 
mayor. 

1753,  April  6.  Resolved  that  an  order  be  drawn  on 
the  treasurer  to  pay  Joh's  Seger  £3:2  in  pennis  and  3 
skipple  wheat,  and  charge  his  account  for  ye  same.  To 
John  Flansburgh  6s.  for  mending  ye  Stocks. 

1743,  May  8.  This  board  ordered  the  clerk  to  draw 
an  order  on  the  city  treasurer  to  pay  Elisabeth  van  Olinde 
the  sum  of  three  pounds  ten  shillings  out  of  the  seven 
pounds  allowed  to  John  Bell  y6  7th  day  of  December, 
1745,  for  being  hangman  and  whipper  and  charge  the 
same  to  his  account ;  the  clerk  to  sign  in  behalf  of  the 
Common  Council!. 


(  153) 

CITY  DOCUMENTS. 

FREEDOMS  PURCHASED,  1781. 


Gerrit  G.  Lansingb,  Merchant  j 

S3  12 

Hugh  Orr                         do         

3  12 

John  Shepherd                do        

3  12 

John  Waters                   do         

3  12 

Henry  Hart                     do         

3   12 

*Edmund  Buttler             do         

3  12 

John  Easton,  Cordwainer  

1   16 

Gerrit  Hyer,  Peruke  Maker  

1   16 

Henry  Cook,  Blacksmith  

1   16 

Charles  Newman,  Merchant  .. 

3  12 

John  Folson,  Silver  Smith  

1  16 

John  Malev,  Merchant  

3   12 

Robert  Wright,   do       

3  12 

I  vie  Chambers     do       

3  12 

John  Fontfreyde,  French  Merchant  a  Permitt. 

3  12 

Colin  Gibson,  Taylor  

1   16 

Joseph  Hall,  Silver  Smith  

1   16 

Benjamin  Wallace  .  

3     0 

Edward  Cumpston,  Merchant  

3  12 

Andrew  Abel,  Cordwainer  

1   16 

John  Ram,  Baker  

1   16 

Hugh  Me  Adam  ,              Merchant  

3  12 

Melancton  Smith                  do       

3  12 

Maus  R.  Van  Vranken        do       

3   12 

Nathaniel  Stephens              do       

3  12 

Francis  Carbines                  do       

3  12 

Thomas  Sickles                   do       

3  12 

Henry  Finn                           do       

3  12 

Coenradt  Scherp                   do       

3  12 

James  Campbell,  Feltmaker..  .........  .. 

1   16 

John  Robison,  Merchant  

3  12 

[Annals,  x.]  14 


154  City  Documents. 


ANCIENT  BURIAL  GROUND. 

[It  appears  by  the  following  document  found  among 
the  common  council  papers,  that  the  plot  of  ground  used 
for  sepulture  on  the  west  of  Eagle  street,  between  State 
and  Lancaster  streets,  was  appropriated  to  that  purpose 
in  1789.  The  property  owned  by  the  Lutheran  church 
on  Park  street  was  the  site  of  their  allotment  as  a  burial 
place.  Before  this  time  each  church  had  its  grave  yard 
adjacent  to  or  near  the  church  to  which  it  belonged.  The 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  was  at  the  foot  of  State  street, 
and  its  grave  yard  was  where  the  Middle  Dutch  Church 
now  stands.  The  Lutheran  Church  was  where  the 
Centre  Market  stands  and  its  grave  yard  adjoined  on  the 
south.  The  Episcopal  was  in  State  street  opposite  to 
Chapel  stree  t,and  its  grave  yard  near  the  present  site  of 
St.  Peter's.  The  Presbyterian  .Church  was  near  the 
corner  of  Grand  and  Hudson  streets,  and  its  grave  yard 
adjoined  on  the  east.  The  High  Dutch  Church,  as  it  is 
here  called,  was  between  Patroon  and  Orange  streets, 
west  of  Ten  Broeck,  with  its  grave  yard  adjoining.  It 
was  now  proposed  to  have  a  common  burial  place,  and 
the  site  recommended  by  the  Committee  was  adopted  by 
the  common  council.] 

The  committee  appointed  to  locate  a  place  for  a  com- 
mon burying  ground  for  the  city  report  that  on  the  east 
adjoining  the  lot  on  which  the  barracks  were  burned 
lately  conveyed  by  the  board  to  BarentBleeker  on  which 
a  vault  has  lately  been  made  is  five  acres  of  ground  very 
proper  to  be  appropriated  for  that  purpose  being  of  excel- 
lent soil  and  a  very  gradual  descent  and  on  the  Southern 
declivity  of  the  hill,  will  never  prove  pernicious  to  the 
springs  which  supply  the  city  with  water  and  which  is  a 
very  important  objection  to  the  present  burying  in  the 
ground  of  the  Episcopal  and  Lutheran  churches  the 
boundaries  of  which  common  burying  ground  we  would 
locate  as  follows:  bounded  on  the  North  by  Prince  street, 
on  the  East  by  Duke  street,  on  the  South  by  Predeau 


City  Documents.  155 

street,  on  the  West  by  the  lot  of  Barent  Bleeker  in  which 
the  vault  is  made  which  ground  contains  five  acres. 

THOS.  HUN, 

Sept.  19,  1789.  T.  V.  W.  GRAHAM. 

The  committee  further  report  that  the  most  eastern 
acre  of  the  above  burying  ground  be  granted  to  the  cor- 
poration of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  next  acre  to 
the  Episcopal  church,  and  the  next  acre  to  the  Lutherian 
church,  and  the  east  half  of  the  third  acre  be  for  the 
reformed  iiigh  Dutch  church,  and  the  most  western  acre 
and  remaining  half  acre  to  the  Dutch  church. 


AGREEMENT    WITH   THE    WHARF 
ASSOCIATION. 

We  the  Trustees  of  the  Associated  Company  of  Pro- 
prietors of  the  Wharves  and  Quays  in  the  City  of  Albany 
being  fully  impowered  by  the  Articles  of  our  Association 
to  receive  any  additional  Associates  do  hereby  covenant 
and  agree  to  and  with  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Com- 
monalty of  the  City  of  Albany,  to  receive  into  our  Asso- 
ciation, the  Public  Wharves  belonging  to  the  said  City, 
for  and  during  the  term  of  our  Association.  Provided, 
that  the  rates  of  Wharfage  shall  be  continued  during  the 
said  term  at  one  shilling  and  sixpence  per  Ton,  and  in 
the  same  proportion  by  the  day  ;  and  we  do  in  behalf  of 
ourselves  and  Associates  further  covenant  and  agree  to 
and  with  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of 
the  said  City  of  Albany,  that  we  will  pay  to  the  said 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty,  or  their  order,  the 
full  proportion  of  all  monies  which  shall  be  collected  for 
Wharfage  and  other  Duties  arising  from  or  upon  the  said 
Wharves  and  Quays  aforesaid,  estimated  according  to  the 
number  offset  of  Wharf  owned  by  each  of  the  said  Asso- 
ciated Proprietors,  deducting  only  the  Expense  of  Col- 
lection and  the  rents  of  the  Wharves  leased  by  the  said 
Proprietors  from  other  persons.  And  we  do  further 
covenant  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  Mayor,  Alder- 


156  City  Documents. 

men  and  Commonalty  that  the  Books  and  Accounts  of 
our  Wharfinger  shall  be  produced  for  Examination  to  the 
Mayor  or  Recorder  at  any  time  and  as  often  as  they  shall 
think  proper,  or  to  the  Chamberlain  by  their  order.  In 
witness  whereof,  we  the  Trustees  of  the  Associated 
Company  of  Proprietors  of  Wharves  and  Quays  in  the 
City  of  Albany,  liave  hereunto  set  our  hands  this  twenty 
second  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred. 

G.  W.  V.  SCHAICK, 
JOHN  ROBISON, 
FRANCIS  BLOODGOOD, 

Trustees  of  certain  Proprietors  of  Wharfs. 
Witness, 
ABRAHAM  GROESBEECK. 


WARRANTY  DEED  OF  A  NEGRO  SWEEP. 

This  Indenture  made  the  fifth  day  of  December,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety- 
four,  between  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of 
the  City  of  Albany,  of  the  first  part,  and  Abraham  Blood- 
good,  of  the  City  of  Albany,  Merchant,  of  the  second 
part, 

Witnesseth,  that  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  eighty-five  pounds  of  lawful 
money  of  the  State  of  New  York,  to  them  in  hand  paid 
by  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  at  or  before  the  en- 
sealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents  the  receipt  \vhereof 
is  hereby  acknowledged,  have  bargained  and  sold,  and  by 
these  presents  do  bargain  and  sell  unto  the  said  party  of 
the  second  part,  his  executors,  administrators  and  assigns, 
a  certain  Negro  Man  Slave  being  a  Chimney  Sweep,  called 
Csesar,  which  Negro,  the  said  parties  of  the  first,  shall 
and  will  at  all  times  hereafter  warrant  and  defend  to  the 
said  party  of  the  second  part,  his  Executors,  Administrat- 
ors and  Assigns  against  the  lawful  claim  of  all  persons 
whomsoever.  And  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  for 


City  Documents.  157 

himself,  his  Heirs,  Executors  and  Administrators,  doth 
covenant  with  the  said  parties  of  the  first  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  manner  following,  that  is  to  say,  that  the  said 
party  of  the  second  part,  his  Executors  and  Administrat- 
ors, shall  and  will  during  the  life  of  the  said  Negro  or  so 
long  as  he  remains,  his  or  their  slave  cause  him  to  work 
in  the  City  of  Albany  as  a  chimney  sweep,  subject  to  the 
ordinances  and  resolutions  of  the  parties  of  the  first  part 
and  their  successors  in  common  council  convened,  and 
that  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  his  executors  or 
administrators  shall  not  at  any  time  hereafter  sell  the 
said  Negro,  before  he  or  they  shall  by  writing  directed 
and  delivered  to  the  said  parties  of  the  first  or  their 
successors  in  common  council  convened,  have  given  them 
the  refusal  of  the  said  Negro  at  the  sum  of  eighty-five 
pounds  or  such  less  sum  as  he  shall  bona  fide  be  offered 
for  sale  at.  In  witness  whereof,  I  Abraham  Yates, 
Junior,  Mayor  of  the  said  City,  have  hereto  set  my  hand 
and  caused  the  seal  of  the  said  city,  to  be  affixed  the  day 
and  year  first  above  written.  And  the  said  party  of  the 
second  part  hath  hereto  also  set  his  hand  and  seal  the 
same  day  and  year. 

ABRAHAM  YATES,  Jun., 

Mayor. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the 
presence  of 

ELBERT  WILLETT,  ABR.  BLOODGOOD. 

JOHN  CAMPBELL. 


BILL  OF  SALE  OF  POMPEY,  A  SLAVE,  TO 
THE  CORPORATION. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  I,  Davis  Hunt, 
of  the  town  of  Watervliet,  in  the  County  of  Albany,  for 
and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  sixty-five  pounds  of 
lawful  money  of  New  York,  to  me  in  hand  paid  by  the 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Albany 
at  the  sealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents,  the  receipt 


158  City  Documents. 

whereof,  I  the  said  Davis  Hunt,  do  hereby  acknowledge, 
have  granted,  bargained  and  sold,  and  by  these  presents 
do  grant,  bargain  and  sell  unto  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 
Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Albany,  and  their  successors, 
a  negro  man  slave  named  Pompey,  of  the  age  of  forty- 
two  years.  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  negro  man 
slave  above  bargained  and  sold  or  mentioned  or  intended 
so  to  be  to  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty 
of  the  City  of  Albany  and  their  successors  forever,  and  I 
the  said  Davis  Hunt,  for  myself,  my  Heirs,  Executors  and 
Administrators,  the  said  negro  man  slave,  unto  the 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Albany, 
and  their  successors  against  me  the  said  Davis  Hunt,  my 
Executors  and  Administrators,  and  against  all  and  every 
other  person  or  persons  whatsoever  shall  and  will  warrant 
and  forever  defend  by  these  presents.  In  witness  whereof 
I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  at  the  City  of 
Albany  this  twenty-second  day  of  June,  in  the  year  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-five.  ' 
Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  >  DAVIS  HUNT. 

presence  of  $ 

JOHN  J.  OSTRANDER. 

The  word  Aldermen  wrote  on  erasure  in  the  eleventh 
line  of  this  instrument  before  execution  hereof. 
Sealed  and  delivered  in  the 
presence  of  us 

PETER  BEEKMAN, 

ISAAC  SLINGERLANDT,  Jun. 


OPENING  OF  FERRY  STREET. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  confer  with  a  Committee 
of  the  Consistory  of  the  Dutch  Church,  report  that  the 
Committee  of  the  Dutch  Church  propose  as  follows  : 

1st.  To  lay  out  a  Street  of  sixty  feet  wide  in  the  Pas- 
ture from  the  house  of  Jacob  Truax  to  the  Ferry  Lot  on 
a  straight  line. 

2d.  To  give  up  their  ground  as  present  occupie  d  as  a 
street,  leading  from  the  Ferry  House  to  Washington  street, 


City  Documents.  159 

and  to  relinguish  their  right  to  a  compensation  therefore, 
this  Corporation  consenting  that  the  consistory  stop  up 
the  road  as  it  formerly  run  through  their  Pasture  to  the 
South  Ward  and  of  the  Ferry  House. 

3d.  The  Corporation  of  the  Church  to  give  as  much 
ground  in  the  rear  of  the  lot  on  which  the  Ferry  House 
stands,  as  to  replace  the  quantity  of  ground  of  the  said 
lot,  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  said  street,  leading 
from  the  East  corner  of  the  Ferry  House  to  Washington 
street. 

The  Corporation  of  the  Church  to  be  permitted  to 
remove  the  Bridge  across  4;he  Treols  Kill  so  far  West  as 
to  bring  it  in  the  aforesaid  sixty  feet  street,  they  to  be 
at  the  expense  of  removing  it. 

21  Sept,,  1789.  LEONARD  GANSEVOORT,  Jun. 

JOHN  PRICE, 
HENRY  TEN  EYCK. 

Resolved  that  the  said  Committee  be  authorised  to 
accede  to  the  above  proposals  on  behalf  of  this  Board, 
21st  Sept.,  1789. 


PROPOSALS  FOR  KEEPING   THE   WATCH,   1787. 

Proposals  from  the  Subscribers  on  which  they  will 
undertake  and  engage  to  perform  in  a  Rotation  their  part 
of  the  Duty  of  Watchmen  for  the  City  of  Albany. 

That  the  said  Watchmen  be  allowed  and  paid  the  sura 
of  two  shillings  and  six  pence  in  cash  for  every  night  they 
may  do  duty  as  watchmen,  which  money  or  wages  to  be 
duly  paid  quarterly  at  the  expiration  of  every  three 
months. 

That  the  Corporation  make  an  allowance  of  six  pence 
per  night  during  the  winter  season  for  wood  and  candles, 
that  is  from  the  first  of  November  to  the  last  of  April, 
and  three  pence  a  week  during  the  rest  of  the  year. 

That  the  Corporation  find  a  convenient  room  for  a 
watch  house  in  some  convenient  part  of  the  City. 


160  City  Documents. 

That  the  Corporation  allow  three  shillings  per  night  to 
be  paid  as  aforesaid,  the  watchmen  finding  every  thing 
but  a  room  to  watch  in  on  the  above  conditions,  we  are 
willing  to  undertake  and  perform  our  part  as  watchmen. 
ROBERT  HEUSON,  JACOB  BLOOMENDALL, 

HENRY  RADLIFF,  JAMES  RADLIFF, 

JAMES  THOMPSON,  MARTIN  REISE. 

COMMON   COUNCIL   ADDRESS  TO  THE  PUBLIC 

ON  THE  GREAT  FIRE  OF  1793. 
The  Corporation  of  the  City  of  Albany  viewing  the 
conduct  of  those  who  were  present  at  the  calamitous 
disaster  occasioned  by  the  late  destructive  fire  in  this 
city,  while  with  pain  and  regret  they  recollect  the  inac- 
tivity and  seeming  unconcern  of  some  few,  can  not  pass 
by  expressing  their  hearty  and  unfeighed  thanks  to  all 
those  who  in  that  time  of  general  anxiety  and  distress, 
generously  and  freely  steped  forward  and  gave  their 
aid  to  the  relief  of  our  fellow  citizens,  in  subdueing  the 
destructive  flames  then  surrounding  us,  while  we  express 
the  gratitude  of  the  citizens  whom  we  represent  to  the 
one  class,  a  contemplation  of  the  other  fills  us  with  feel- 
ings too  painful  and  disagreeable  to  be  uttered,  would 
the  exertions  of  individuals  be  noticed  with  propriety, 
the  tribute  would  gratefully  be  paid,  the  thanks  of  the 
corporation,  however,  are  hereby  publicly  given  to  all 
those  and  particularly  to  our  neighbours  from  the  country 
and  adjacent  towns  who  so  generously  and  opportunely 
give  their  needed  aid,  exertions  and  assistance.  The 
conduct  of  the  citizens  and  country  people  at  the  last  fire 
in  the  stable  of  General  Gansevoort  in  Maidens  Lane, 
and  their  strenuous  efforts,  particularly  demand  and  have 
the  warmest  thanks  and  hearty  approbations  of  this  Board. 
We  must  at  the  same  time  remark,  that  if  a  strict  silence 
was  observed  by  all  except  those  who  are  intrusted  with 
the  command,  and  who  will  be  at  such  times  distinguished 
by  a  white  sash,  it  would  be  the  means  of  preventing  the 
confusion  which  is  too  frequent  on  those  melancholy 
occasions. 


City  Documents.  161 

FAST  DAY  RECOMMENDED  TO  THE  COMMON 
COUNCIL  BY  THE  CLERGY,  ON  ACCOUNT  OF 
THE  FIRE  OF  1797. 

Gentlemen:  Albany,  August  9th,  1797. 

Having  taken  into  consideration  the  late  dreadful  ca- 
lamity which  has  befallen  our  city,  and  convinced  that 
the  judgment  of  God  and  their  procuring  cause  the  sins 
of  the  community,  call  for  deep  humiliation  and  repent- 
ance, we  have  determined  to  observe  next  Wednesday  as 
a  day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  and  prayer.  This  pur- 
pose we  thought  fit  to  communicate  to  your  worshipful 
body,  in  order  that  ytm  might  if  it  seemed  good, 
recommend  it  to  the  citizens  at  large. 
We  remain,  Gentlemen, 

with  good  consideration, 

Your  very  humble  servants, 
ALEX.  MILLER,  DAVID  S.  BOGART, 

JOHN  B.  JOHNSON,  JOHN  BASSETT, 

ANTHONY  T.  BRAUN, 


A  CORPORATION  BILL  FOR  PUNCH. 
On  the  3d  of  Sept.  1782,  Hugh  Denniston,  who  kept 
a  noted  tavern  in  Green  street,  furnished  certain  persons 
for  the  benefit  of  the  city,  with  the  following  articles  : 

9  Boals  of  Punch £1    16     0 

1  Mug  of  Beer 009 

1  Boal  of  Grog  for  Sager 020 

The  Mayor  was  requested  to  pay  the  bill  out  of  the 
corporation  money.  The  following  is  a  facsimile  of 
the  signature  of  the  person  who  drank  the  two  shilling 
boal  of  grog. 


(  162  ) 

GEOLOGY  OF  ALBANY  COUNTY. 

Some  Remarks  respecting  a  point  in  the  Geology  of  Alba- 
ny County,  submitted  to  the  American  Association  for 
the  Advancement  of  Science. 

BY  HENRY  R.  SCHOOLCRAPT. 

The  attention  of  the  writer  was  invited,  at  an  early 
day,  in  the  area  of  his  nativity,  to  the  mineralogical 
interest,  revealed  by  the  heavy  dust  deposits  of  the 
county.  These  led  him  to  visit  the  deep  cutting  of  its 
streams,  which  revealed  agencies  of  a  prominent  kind, 
which  must  have  had  general  power  of  action  on  the 
structure  of  plains  and  valleys;  but  which  action  had 
long  ceased,  and  exercised  but  little  present  influence. 
Such  action  came  to  be  regarded,  as  soon  as  we  got  books, 
as  geological. 

In  offering  a  few  remarks  on  a  feature  in  the  strati- 
fication of  a  part  of  the  country  familiar  to  him  from 
early  days,  embarrassment  is  felt  in  not  having  recently 
revisited  the  localities  referred  to.  What  is  said  therefore, 
is,  to  some  extent,  the  reminiscence  of  past  years.  Some 
apology  may,  indeed,  be  due  for  calling  attention  to  the 
facts  at  all,  under  the  circumstances;  nor  should  he  do  so, 
at  a  time  when  there  are  so  many  eminent  and  zealous 
observers  in  the  field,  whose  studies  are  directed  to  geo- 
logical phenomena,  were  the  facts  I  am  about  to  name  of 
such  a  character,  on  the  scenic  surface  of  the  country, 
as  to  be  likely  to  attract  general  notice. 

The  most  prominent  feature  of  the  county  is  the  range 
of  the  Helderbergs,  an  off-shoot  of  the  Catskill  moun- 
tains. This  highest  range  divides  the  county  into  two 
general  levels  of  unequal  width,  characterized  as  being 
above  or  below  that  elevation.  The  lower  level  is  distin- 
guished for  nothing,  on  the  surface,  of  so  striking  a  char- 
acter as  its  diluvial  and  drift  deposits  of  arable  layers, 
clays,  sands,  analogic  pebbles  and  boulders.  The  rock 
strata,  as  generally  denoted  by  geologists,  and  more 


Geology  of  Albany  County.  163 

particularly  described  by  Mr.  Hall,  are,  beginning  at  the 
apex  of  the  Helderberg,  chertz  limestone,  neutral  colored 
sandstones,  fossilliferous  limestone,  graywacke,  sedimen- 
tary, horizontal  slate,  or  graywacke  slate,  and  argillite. 
This  stratification,  first  noticed,  it  is  believed,  by  the 
late  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck,  is  exposed  to  view  wherever 
the  streams  of  the  county  have  worked  their  beds  imme- 
diately into  it. 

The  city  of  Albany  rests  on  the  edges  and  top  of  the 
terraceous  blue  clays  and  their  associated  sand  strata.  I 
do  not  know  the  height  of  the  foundation  of  the  Capitol, 
above  the  Hudson  river.  It  can  not  be  less  than  140  feet, 
and  the  stiff  escarpment  of  the  clay  beds  cut  down,  at 
this  point,  preparatory  to  the  building  of  the  Capitol,  were 
probably  18  or  20  feet.  This  terraceous  clay  is  covered 
with  a  mantel  or  plateau  of  diluvial  sand,  which  at  the 
assumed  elevation,  extends  northwestwardly  from  the 
Hudson  to  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk.  It  is  sixteen  miles 
from  river  to  river,  by  about  half  the  distance  in  breadth, 
where  it  is  merged  in  the  arable  uplands.  The  area  of 
this  sand  plain,  sometimes  called  the  Honicroisa  tract, 
can  not  be  less  than  one  hundred  and  twenty  square 
miles.  It  is  not  all  equally  arid,  equally  barren  and 
unfit  for  every  species  of  agriculture ;  but  it  is,  perhaps, 
to  the  impeachment  of  our  agricultural  acumen,  a  tract 
of  remarkable  dimensions,  and  that  lying  in  the  heart  of 
the  state,  abstracted  from  the  area  of  husbandry.  Origi- 
nally covered  with  a  magnificent  forest  of  the  pinus  resi- 
nosa  and  shrubbery  peculiar  to  arenaceous  plains,  the 
surface  is  now  well  nigh  denuded:  the  winds  have  insinu- 
ated into  the  sides  of  hills,  creating  a  species  of  dunes. 

Across  this  plain,  in  their  journeys  from  the  West,  laid 
the  ancient  path  of  the  Iroquois,  who,  impressed  by  its 
peculiarities  of  soil  and  growth,  whichever  way  they 
crossed  it,  called  it,  in  their  expressive  language,  the 
Skenektadea  *  ,  a  term  which  has  been  applied,  with 

*  The  elements  of  this  compound  term  are  the  word  she,  meaning 
through  or  among;  Nek,  a  pine  tree  ;  ta  or  dah,  a  formation  of  rock 
or  hard  soil,  and  dea,  a  plain  or  valley.  The  latter  termination  is 
heard  in  Tahopatatea,  the  Iroquois  name  of  the  Hudson  in  Canada,  &c. 


164  Geology  oj  Albany  County. 

modifications,  at  successive  periods,  to  each  of  the  cities 
situated  on  its  eastern  and  western  verge. 

This  mantle  of  sand  rests,  throughout  its  entire  extent, 
upon  the  terraceous  blue  capitoline  clay.  Rains  and 
atmospheric  moisture  speedily  sink  through  it,  till 
arrested  by  its  impervious  aluminous  basis.  The  effect 
of  this  arrangement  has  been  to  convert  the  strata  into  a 
vast  filtering  apparatus,  by  which  the  surface  waters  are 
at  the  same  time,  purified  and  cooled,  and  find  their 
outlet,  on  the  surface  of  the  clay  beds,  into  the  nearest 
streams.  But  this  filtering  process  has  had  another  strik- 
ing effect  on  the  mineral  physiognomy  of  the  central 
and  southeastern  parts  of  the  county.  The  trickling  of 
springs  on  the  line  of  the  aluminous  strata,  has  carried 
along  the  quartzose  grains  of  sand,  causing  the  superin- 
cumbent beds  to  cave  in.  The  result  of  this  action  has 
been  to  cut  up  the  surface  of  the  plains  into  gulfs,  gorges 
and  minor  valleys.  By  throwing  the  arenaceous  on  the 
clay  beds,  a  new  soil  is  produced  very  favorable  to  the 
growth  of  deciduojis  trees.  These  gorges  and  sub-valleys 
are  therefore  filled  with  hard  wood  species,  while  the  arid 
and  dry  plains  bear  only  pines.  They  furnish  cool  re- 
treats for  every  species  of  animated  nature,  during  the 
heats  of  the  day,  and  it  is  from  the  close  and  vigorous 
growth  of  the  foliage,  in  these  numerous  gorges,  that  the 
wolf  still  maintains  his  position,  and  defies  the  farmer 
and  his  sheep-folds  from  these  inaccessible  positions. 

It  is  by  the  union  of  several  of  the  outlets  of  these 
spring  gorges  of  the  pine  plains,  that  the  Honger  kill  is 
formed.  Small  in  its  volume,  it  is  of  unsurpassed  purity 
and  unfailing  supply  and  flows  with  a  force  sufficient  to 
sink  its  channel  through  the  deep  clay  stratum,  and  enter 
its  recipient,  the  Tawasentha,  or  Norman's  kill,  through 
the  boulder  and  pebble  drift.  Like'  other  streams  of  pri- 
mary or  secondary  importance,  the  banks  of  this  stream — 
the  ample  space  left  for  its  outflow,  and  the  elevation  of  its 
bordering  hills,  force  the  mind,  on  one  of  two  conclusions, 
either  that  fluviatile  action  was,  at  former  periods  of 
comparatively  immense  force,  or,  that  the  time  consumed 


Geology  of  Albany  County.  165 

by  the  present  feeble  action  on  the  earth's  surface  must 
have  been  very  great.  Feeble  as  the  action  of  the  stream 
is,  it  has  been  sufficient  to  reveal  a  formation  of  red  sand- 
stone, which,  apparently,  underlies  the  under  Helderberg 
series  of  graywacke  and  slates,  and  the  upper  series  of 
fossiliferous  limestone,  and  its  superimposed  porous  and 
marly  horizontal  new  sandstones. 

This  disclosure  was  made  in  a  depressed  part  of  the 
Honger  kill  valley,  in  the  course  of  excavations  made  in 
the  heavy  embankment  constructed  by  the  Western  turn- 
pike company,  in  crossing  that  valley.  The  rock,  in 
colors  and  grain,  resembles*  the  Piermont  or  Haverstraw 
sandstones  of  the  lower  Hudson.  It  is  perhaps,  charac- 
teristically less  quartzose  and  compact.  It  is  also  less 
apyrous,  as  was  tested  by  placing  a  massive  block,  in  the 
high  heat  of  a  glass  burner.  Another  locality  of  the 
same  rock,  penetrates  through  the  soil,  in  the  same  valley, 
at  a  higher  point.  *  These  localities  are  at  the  now 
decayed  manufacturing  village  at  Hamilton,  within 
about  a  mile  from  the  entrance  of  the  stream  into  the 
Norman's  kill,  or  Tawasentha.  Geologically,  but  not 
topographically,  the  Honger  kill  sandstone  underlies  the 
state. 

The  deepest  cutting  into  the  geological  column  of  the 
county,  is  made  by  the  Tawasentha.  This  stream  in  its 
western  fork,  the  Roga  or  Mad  creek,  originates  on  the 
Helderberg  range.  In  passing  through  the  series  of 
newer  sandstones  and  limestones  and  graywackes  it  lays 
bare  the  succession  of  rocks,  and  hurries  with  a  rapid 
channel  to  its  junction,  with  the  Swarte,  or  Black,  and 
the  Tiergaea,  or  north-east  branch.  Reinforced  by  these 
tributaries,  it  sweeps  its  way  through  the  alluvial  cover- 
ings, for  the  Hudson.  In  its  progress  it  sinks  its  level 
quite  through  the  graywacke,  and  deeply  into  the  Tawa- 
sentha  slate,  which  is  a  sedimentary  or  graywacke  slate. 


*  This  latter  locality  was  pointed  out  to  me,  as  an  anomaly,  by 
the  late  John  Schoolcraft,  Jr.,  Esq.,  of  Hamilton  Village,  or  Guil- 
derland. 

[Annals,  x.]  15 


J66  Geology  of  Albany  County. 

At  the  rapids  of  the  Globe  mills,  or  French's  and  other 
parts  of  Guilderland,  this  rock  stands  in  perpendicular 
facades,  from  eighty  to,  perhaps,  a  hundred  and  twenty 
feet  high.  They  are  least  prominent  opposite  the  Boulder 
banks  at  Mulberry  hill,  near  the  entrance  of  the  Honger 
kill.  At  lower  points  of  its  course,  the  valley  assumes 
a  greater  expansion  ;  and  its  precipices  have  suffered 
more  from  the  degradations  of  elemental  action.  The  river 
finally  enters  the  Hudson,  two  miles  south  of  the  city, 
between  the  ancient  Iroquois  cemetery  of  Tawasentha  * 
and  Kiddenhoogliten. 

*  This  curious  natural  mound,  or  hillock,  is  connected  with  the 
diluvial  formation,  by  a  narrow  rock,  or  peninsula.  It  was  a  spot 
sacred  to  sepulture,  from  the  earliest  time ;  and  furnished  them  a 
natural  cognomen  for  the  stream.  There  is  no  object  of  higher  anti- 
quarian interest  in  the  vicinity,  and  it  is  worthy  of  municipal  care. 


(  167) 

THE  CITY'S  ANCIENT  RATINES. 


Three  considerable  streams  of  water,  which  anciently 
traversed  the  city,  have  within  the  memory  of  many  in- 
habitants, been  converted  into  sewers,  namely,  the  Foxen 
kill,  the  Rutten  kill  and  the  Bever  kill.  The  Foxen  kill, 
when  the  city  was  first  settled,  and  for  a  long  time  after, 
afforded  abundance  of  fish.  It  ran  outside  of  the  stock- 
ades, which  for  a  great  maify  years  formed  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  city.  It  is  but  little  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  since  it  was  crossed  by  a  bridge  in  North 
Pearl  street,  near  Orange. 

The  Rutten  kill  was  a  lesser  stream,  having  its  source 
above  Lark  street,  but  which  sent  down  a  formidable 
volume  of  water  in  times  of  freshet.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  upper  end  of  Beaver  street,  have  an  inkling  of  what 
it  may  have  been  when  they  are  refreshed  by  a  heavy 
rain  storm.  This  also  was  a  never-failing  brook,  stored 
with  fish,  and  was  the  only  one  that  came  within  the  old 
city  walls.  Passing  down  the  Hudson  street  ravine,  it 
crossed  Pearl  street  where  the  Congregational  church 
stands,  and  entered  the  river  a  few  feet  below  State 
street.  In  the  oldest  map  of  the  city  1676,  (see  Annals 
vol.  iv,  p.  200),  a  brug  marks  the  spot  where  it  crossed 
the  street  now  called  Broadway.  The  city  records  fre- 
quently allude  to  these  bridges.  In  January,  1701,  we 
find  the  following  entry: 

"It  is  further  concluded  since  ye  Bridges  by  Coll. 
Schuyler's  doth  decay,  that  Mr.  Roseboom,  Hendrik 
Oothout  and  Harpert  Jacobse  vizite  ye  same,  and  make 
returne  ye  next  court  what  is  required  to  be  repaired." 

A  meeting  was  held  on  the  next  day,  when  the  follow- 
ing report  was  made: 

"Relating  the  bridge  at  Coll.  Schuyler's,  ye  gentlemen 
yesterday  appointed  to  vizite  ye  same  do  return  that  it 
requires  to  be  repaired  with  one  oak  logg,  of  17  foot,  12 


168  The  C%'s  Ancient  Ravines. 

inches  square;  four  posts,  10  foot,  10  inches  square;  two 
pine  loggs  of  10  foot,  1  foot  square;  three  ditto  17  foot 
apiece  ;  three  ditto  of  20  foot;  and  one  of  37  foot." 

In  1706  the  following  entry  was  made  in  the  common 
council  minutes  relating  to  another  of  these  bridges: 

"The  petition  of  William  Hogen  relating  ye  bridge  by 
ye  Lutheran  church  being  much  out  of  repair  desyreing 
that  ye  Common  Couricill  will  take  ye  same  into  there 
wise  consideration  yt  ye  Bridge  be  repaired.  It  is 

"Resolved  that  in  convenient  time  ye  same  shall  be 
made  sufficient  to  passe  and  repasse  without  danger." 

The  Lutheran  church  alluded  to  occupied  the  ground 
of  the  Market  house  in  South  Pearl  street,  and  its  bur- 
ial ground  was  the  site  of  the  vegetable  market  adjoin- 
ing. Pearl  Street,  for  a  century  after  this,  was  but  a 
lane,  many  persons  now  living  remembering  when  a  gate 
swung  across  it  at  State  street. 

On  the  13th  April,  1706.  the  following  record  was  made 
in  the  common  council  minutes: 

"As  to  ye  Bridge  towards  ye  Lutheriaen  church,  Mr. 
Hansen  is  agreed  to  make  a  sufficient  and  strong  new 
bridge,  laid  with  good  plank  two  inches  thick,  wherefore 
he  is  to  receive  ye  £5:  10  due  from  Evert  Janse." 

Two  years  later  we  find  the  following  entry: 

"The  Commonalty  being  informed  yt  ye  Bridge  over 
ye  Rutten  kill  in  ye  street  lately  known  by  ye  name  of 
ye  ffuddamart  is  very  much  out  of  repair  &  decade,  doe 
therefore  order  yt  ye  sd  Bridge  shall  be  made  anew  and 
yt  Mr.  Robt.  Livingston  &  Coenraet  Ten  Eyk  are  ap- 
pointed to  see  ye  sd  bridge  made  upon  ye  Citty  charges." 

"September  28.  This  day  Mr.  Robt.  Livingston,  Jun.  & 
Conraet  ten  Eyk  brought  in  their  acct  of  makeing  of  ye 
Bridge  over  ye  Rutten  kill  in  ye  street  calld  ye  fodde 
mart,  amounting  in  all  after  £2:  9:  is  deducted,  wh  is 
payd  to  them  £7:  14:  4J  wh  is  approved  of  by  ye  Com- 
monalty &  ordered  yt  those  persons  are  to  have  credt  in 
ye  Citty  book  for  what  there  is  due  to  them." 

Whether  the  name  of  this  creek  is  derived  from  rats, 
as  some  suppose,  it  is  infested  with  myriads  of  the  lusti- 


The  City's  Ancient  Ravines.  169 

est  specimens  of  that  vermin  to  this  day.  The  creek  is 
now  a  sewer  throughout  its  entire  length.  The  grading 
of  the  ravine  which  it  traversed  was  nearly  completed  in 
1847,  from  Hawk  to  Lark  street,  and  from  Lydius  to 
State.  So  late  as  1827  it  was  an  unbroken  waste.  Ea- 
gle street  then  extended  no  farther  than  the  Lancaster 
School,  now  the  Medical  College.  There  were  not  a 
dozen  buildings  even  on  Lydius  street  from  Pearl  to 
Lark.  When  the  unfortunate  Strang  was  executed  in 
its  grassy  valley  in  the  above  mentioned  year,  its  green 
hills  on  either  side  were  darkened  by  a  multitude  num- 
bering full  thirty  thousand.  The  clay  banks  on  Lydius 
street  furnished  the  city  with  bricks  for  a  great  number 
of  years.  During  a  period  of  about  three  years,  two 
hundred  and  fifty  men  and  sixty  teams  were  employed 
upon  the  work  of  grading  and  filling  this  large  area. 
The  ravine,  three  hundred  feet  broad  and  fifty  feet  deep 
received  the  lofty  banks  upon  its  borders,  and  was  raised 
to  a  convenient  grade,  whereby  a  large  tract  was  reclaim- 
ed for  habitation,  that  had  been  useless  except  for  brick 
kilns,  or  basins  where  water  gathered,  furnishing  reser- 
voirs for  bathing  and  fishing  to  truant  boys.  Not  less 
than  six  hundred  thousand  yards  excavation  was  made 
in  blue  clay,  and  an  equal  amount  of  filling  was  done  by 
one  contractor.  By  this  improvement  Hudson  street  has 
become  the  most  inviting  avenue  to  the  city,  and  comely 
blocks  of  dwellings  already  adorn  most  of  the  streets 
which  intersect  the  area  of  the  ancient  Rutten  kill. 


(170) 

SCEAPS  FKOM  THE  DUTCH  EECOEDS, 


The  fort  at  Albany,  the  first  Fort  Orange,  was  built  in 
1614  by  Hendrik  Christianse.  There  is  a  dispute  where 
it  was  situated,  although  it  is  usually  located  on  the  Is- 
land at  the  lower  end  of  the  city. 

Barent  Van  Slechtenhorst,  agent  for  the  patroon,  hav- 
ing quarreled  with  Gov.  Stuyvessant  about  a  question  of 
jurisdiction,  was  arrested  in  1652  and  confined  at  New 
Amsterdam  several  months. 

There  was  a  great  mortality  of  cattle  here  in  1661. 

Also  very  high  water  Oct.  1 1  of  the  same  year. 

Brick  imported  from  Holland  sold  in  1661  for  $4.16  a 
thousand,  payable  in  beaver  skins. 

The  small  pox  produced  great  mortality  at  this  place 
in  1663. 

In  the  oath  of  allegiance  taken  by  the  officers  of  gov- 
ernment, they  swore  to  "maintain  the  reformed  religion 
in  conformity  to  the  word  of  God  and  the  decrees  of  the 
synod  of  Dordrecht." 

As  early  as  1628  frequent  mention  is  made  of  blacks 
owned  as  slaves  in  the  colony. 

The  custom  of  sons  adopting  the  Christian  names  of 
their  fathers  for  their  own  surnames,  came  into  use  as 
early  as  1638,  and  leads  to  a  good  deal  of  confusion. 
Thus  Gerrit,  the  son  of  Wolfert  Gerritsen,  was  known 
as  Gerrit  Wolfertsen — that  is,  Gerrit  the  son  of  Wolfert. 

Seven  morgens  of  land  were  equal  to  fifteen  acres. 

When  two  fought  with  knives,  a  custom  of  frequent 
occurrence  at  this  time,  the  survivor  was  held  guilty  of 
murder  if  he  stabbed  his  antagonist  and  death  ensued; 
but  only  of  manslaughter  if  he  cut  or  slashed  him.  In 
1642  fighting  with  knives  was  wholy  prohibited. 

A  beaver  skin  was  worth  2s  6d  in  1641. 


Scraps  from  the  Dutch  Records.  171 

An  ordinance  was  passed  in  1645  forbidding  the  sale 
of  powder  and  ball  to  the  Indians  on  pain  of  death. 

The  trial  of  an  appeal  from  the  court  in  Rensselaer- 
wyk  was  held  before  the  governor  and  council  in  1645. 

The  salary  of  the  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats,  minister  at 
Fort  Orange,  was  1200  guilders,  about  $480. 

Beaver  skins  were  not  to  be  sold  at  Boston,  1663. 

Claverack  received  its  name  in  1664. 

About  the  same  time  a  sloop  was  permitted  to  sail 
every  Monday  from  New  Amsterdam  to  Fort  Orange, 
provided  that  not  more  than  six  passengers  at  a  time  be 
allowed  to  go  in  her. 

Although  the  name  Ten  Broek  occurs  so  frequently  in 
the  very  entertaining  history  of  New  York  by  Knicker- 
bocker, yet  no  mention  is  made  of  such  a  family  in  the 
Dutch  records.  It  is  probable,  therefore,  that  they  emi- 
grated to  this  country  after  1664.  The  name  Harden- 
broek  is  found  in  the  records. 


(1T2) 

MACAULEY'S  ACCOUNT  OF  ALBANY. 


In  the  year  1610  the  Dutch  East  India  company  sent 
hither  one  ship  for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  the  na- 
tives. Ships  belonging  to  the  same  company  visited  New- 
York  bay  and  Hudson's  river  successively,  in  the  years 
1611,  1612,  and  1613,  but  no  attempt  was  made  at  settle- 
ment. 

The  States  General  of  the  Netherlands,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  1614,  granted  a  patent  to  sundry  mer- 
chants for  an  exclusive  trade  on  Hudson's  river.  In  the 
grant  the  country  was  styled  New  Netherlands.  The 
company  the  same  year  built  a  fort  and  trading  house  on 
an  island  in  the  river,  about  half  a  mile  below  where  the 
city  of  Albany  now  stands.  Henry  Christiaens  was  en- 
trusted with  the  command.  This  seems  to  have  been 
the  first  establishment  formed  by  the  Dutch  in  the  New 
Netherlands.  It  was  judiciously  selected  for  defence  a- 
gainst  savages.  The  island  at  present  is  called  Dunn's 
island,  and  contains  about  seventy  acres  of  land.  It  is 
near  the  west  side  of  the  river.  It  is  alluvial  and  very 
fertile,  being  mostly  subject  to  annual  inundations.  The 
land  was  cleared  and  under  cultivation.  The  Mohawks 
every  year  planted  it  with  corn.  On  this  island  they 
had  a  small  village.  Dunn's  island  now  contains  one 
house. 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year  the  company 
erected  another  small  fort  and  a  trading  house  at  the 
southerly  end  of  Manhattan  island.  The  fort  occupied 
a  part  of  the  battery,  and  some  of  the  grounds  adjoining 
it  on  the  north.  To  this  establishment  they  gave  the 
name  of  New  Amsterdam.  Both  were  enclosed  with 
stockadoes  and  mounted  with  some  small  pieces  of 
cannon.  The  Mohawks,  Mohiccons,  &c.  gave  to  the 
Dutch  a  very  friendly  reception.  They  sold  them  furs 
and  provisions,  and  treated  them  like  brethren.  They 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  173 

imagined  that  the  residence  of  these  strangers  would  be 
only  temporary. 

In  1615  the  company  constructed  a  small  fort  at  the 
mouth  of  Norman's  kill,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  south- 
erly of  the  fort  on  Dunn's  island.  The  place  where  the 
city  of  Albany  stands  and  the  adjoining  parts,  the  Mo- 
hawks called  Schaunaughtada,  that  is,  a  place  beyond, 
on  the  other  side,  or  over  the  plains.  The  designation 
was,  in  respect  to  Ohnowalagantle,  on  the  river  Mohawk 
or  Canneogahakalononitade.  At  the  time  the  Dutch  ar- 
rived several  small  bands  of  Mohawks  resided  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Hudson*  and  on  the  islands  in  that 
stream.  The  eastern  bank  of  that  river  was  occupied 
by  bands  of  the  Moheakanneews.  The  river  was  the 
boundary  between  those  hostile  tribes.  Violent  disputes 
then  existed  between  the  members  living  on  its  banks  in 
relation  to  the  islands.  The  Hudson  was  called  by  the 
Mohawks  Cahohatatea,  and  by  the  Lenni  Lenape,  Ma- 
hackaneghtuck.  To  Schaunaughtada  the  Dutch  first  be- 
stowed the  appellation  of  Aurania,  and  then  Beverwyck. 

The  company  in  1618  built  a  redoubt  at  the  Kingston 
landing,  and  established  a  post  at  Esopus,  now  Kingston, 
in  the  county  of  Ulster.  This  place  is  on  the  south  side 
of  Esopus  creek,  and  two  miles  west  of  the  landing. 
The  banks  of  the  Hudson  below  Catskill,  and  those  of 
Walkill  and  Rondout  rivers,  and  of  Esopus  creek,  were 
inhabited  by  bands  of  the  Mahiccons  and  Mohickanders, 
or  Wabingas.  The  Mahiccons  and  Wabingas  belonged 
to  the  confederacy  of  the  Lenni  Lenape,  and  were  kin- 
dred tribes. 

Between  the  years  1616  and  1620,  about  twenty  per- 
sons belonging  to  the  company  went  from  the  fort  on 
Dunn's  island,  below  Albany,  to  Ohnowalagantle,  now 
Schenectady,  where  they  entered  into  a  compact  with  the 
Mohawks,  from  whom  they  bought  some  land  on  which 
they  erected  a  trading  house.  This  they  surrounded 
with  pickets  and  fortified.  Then  Ohnowalagantle  was  a 
considerable  town,  and  contained  several  villages  and 
hamlets.  The  principal  village  stood  within  the  bounds 


174  Macauley's  Account  of  Albany. 

of  the  present  city.  The  rich  and  beautiful  intervale 
lands  on  the  Mohawk,  around  the  city,  were  mostly  clear- 
ed and  cultivated.  On  these  the  Mohawks  grew  corn, 
beans,  and  squashes,  which  in  part  afforded  them  sub- 
sistence.  According  to  tradition,  the  village  of  Ohno- 
walagantle  occupied  the  site  of  Connughariegugharie, 
the  ancient  capital  of  the  Mohawks.  The  same  tradi- 
tion informs  us  that  it  was  abandoned  some  ages  ante- 
rior to  the  colonization,  and  that  Icanderago,  at  the 
mouth  of  Schoharie  creek,  was  selected  for  the  new  cap- 
ital. We  have  no  certain  information  in  respect  to  the 
number  of  the  Mohawks  residing  at  Ohnowalagantle 
when  the  Dutch  came  to  it.  According  to  some  ac- 
counts there  were  eight  hundred  fighting  men,  and  ac- 
cording to  others  less.  The  same  accounts  inform  us 
that  three  hundred  warriors  lived  upon  the  lands  which 
have  since  been  included  in  one  farm.  Without  at- 
tempting to  reconcile  these  jarring  accounts,  we  may 
reasonably  infer  that  the  numbers  were  considerable. 

The  States  General  of  the  Netherlands,  in  the  year 
1621,  made  a  grant  of  the  whole  country  to  the  Dutch 
West  India  company.  In  1623  this  company  built  fort 
Orange  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  about  half  a 
mile  above  Dunn's  island.  A  village  soon  rose  in  its 
vicinity.  Fort  Orange  stood  in  the  southeasterly  quar- 
ter of  the  city  of  Albany. 

When  the  Dutch  arrived  at  Albany,  violent  controver- 
sies existed  between  the  Moheakanneews  and  Mohawks, 
about  the  alluvial  lands  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson, 
and  some  of  the  islands  in  the  river.  To  end  these  con- 
troversies, the  commander  of  fort  Orange  invited  the 
hostile  chiefs  into  the  fort,  and  persuaded  them  to  bury 
the  hatchet. 

In  the  beginning  of  August,  1678,  Colonel  Dongan 
met  the  Agoneasean  chiefs  at  Albany,  and  made  a  speech 
to  them.  He  advised  them  not  to  treat  with  the  French, 
without  consulting  him;  not  to  kill  their  prisoners,  but 
to  exchange  them  for  their  own  people  ;  to  dispatch  mes- 
sengers to  the  Indians,  with  whom  they  were  then  at 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  175 

war,  and  propose  peace,  and  bury  the  tomahawk  ;  tell- 
ing them  at  the  same  time,  that  whatever  things  they 
wanted  hereafter,  the  English  would  let  them  have,  upon 
cheaper  terms  than  the  French. 

Colonel  Dongan,  in  his  interview  with  the  Aganuschi- 
onian  chiefs  at  Albany,  seems  to  have  acted  with  an 
overheated  zeal  in  rousing  the  passions  of  this  ferocious 
people  against  the  French.  Probably  not  being  much 
acquainted  with  the  savage  character,  he  did  not  foresee 
the  consequences.  The  innocent  inhabitants  of  Canada 
and  New  York  soon  became  the  sufferers. 

De  Callieres,  who  went  to  France  in  1688,  projected  a 
scheme  for  the  reduction  of  the  province  of  New  York, 
but  the  plan  miscarried. 

The  force  demanded  for  this  enterprise  was  one  thous- 
and three  hundred  regulars,  and  three  hundred  Cana- 
dians. Albany  was  said  to  contain  only  three  hundred 
inhabitants,  and  to  be  fortified  by  an  inclosure  of  stock- 
adoes,  and  a  little  fort  with  four  bastions,  and  that  it  con- 
tained but  one  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers.  New  York 
was  represented  to  contain  about  four  thousand  persons. 

In  1689,  the  count  de  Frontenac,  the  governor  of  Can- 
ada, proposed  peace  to  the  Aganuschioni  who  called  a 
grand  council  at  Onondaga.  The  chiefs,  from  the  sev- 
eral tribes,  convened  to  the  number  of  eighty,  about  the 
22d  of  January,  1690.  The  people  of  Albany  were 
notified  but  did  not  attend.  Sadekanaghtie  an  Onondaga 
chief,  opened  the  conference.  According  to  the  French 
accounts,  the  whole  was  managed  with  great  art  and 
formality,  and  concluded  in  showing  a  disposition  to 
make  peace  without  perfecting  it. 

Among  other  measures  to  detach  the  Agoneaseah 
from  the  British  interest,  and  to  raise  the  depressed  spirit 
of  the  Canadians,  count  de  Frontenac  thought  proper 
to  send  out  several  parties  against  the  English  colonies. 
D'Aillebout,  de  Mantel  and  Le  Moyne,  commanded  one 
against  Schenectady,  consisting  of  about  two  hundred 
French,  and  fifty  Mohawks  belonging  to  the  Caughnawa- 
ga  clan. 


176  Macauhy's  Account  of  Albany. 

The  people  at  Schenectady,  though  they  had  been  in- 
formed of  the  designs  of  the  enemy,  were  in  the  greatest 
security;  imagining  it  impossible  for  any  men  to  march 
several  hundred  miles  in  the  midst  of  winter,  through 
the  snow,  bearing  their  provisions  on  their  backs. 

After  a  march  of  twenty-two  days,  the  enemy  reached 
the  vicinity  of  Schenectady,  on  the  8th  of  February, 
1690,  and  were  reduced  to  such  straits  that  they  thought 
of  surrendering  themselves  prisoners  of  war.  But  their 
scouts,  who  were  a  day  or  two  in  the  village,  returned 
with  such  favorable  accounts  of  the  absolute  security  of 
the  people,  that  they  determined  on  the  attack.  They 
entered  on  Saturday  night,  about  eleven  o'clock,  at  the 
gates  ,  which  were  found  unshut;  and  that  every  house 
might  be  invested  at  the  same  time,  divided  themselves 
into  small  parties  of  six  or  seven  men.  The  inhabitants 
were  in  a  profound  sleep,  and  unalarmed  till  their  doors 
were  broke  open.  Before  they  were  risen  from  their 
beds  the  enemy  entered  and  began  the  work  of  death. 
The  whole  village  was  instantly  in  a  blaze.  Sixty  per- 
sons were  killed,  and  twenty-seven  carried  into  captiv- 
ity. The  rest  fled,  naked,  towards  Albany,  through  a 
deep  snow,  which  fell  that  night  in  a  terrible  storm ;  and 
twenty-five  of  these  fugitives  lost  their  limbs  in  the 
flight  through  the  severity  of  the  cold. 

The  news  of  this  dreadful  tragedy  reached  Albany  a- 
bout  break  of  day.  A  universal  dread  seized  the  in- 
habitants. A  party  of  horse  was  immediately  dispatched 
to  Schenectady.  The  enemy,  in  the  mean  time,  pillaged 
the  town  till  noon  the  next  day;  and  then  went  off  with 
their  plunder,  and  about  forty  of  the  best  horses.  The 
rest,  with  all  the  cattle  they  could  find,  lay  slaughtered 
in  the  streets.  Several  women  and  children  were  releas- 
ed, at  the  instance  of  Capt.  Glen,  on  the  score  of  his 
wife's  civilities  to  certain  French  captives,  in  the  time 
of  Col.  Dongan. 

A  party  of  Albanians  and  Mohawks  pursued  the  ene- 
my in  his  retreat  and  either  killed  or  captivated  five  and 
twenty. 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  177 

The  taking  and  burning  of  Schenectady  had  such  an 
effect  upon  the  people  of  Albany,  that  they  were  almost 
on  the  point  of  abandoning  it. 

In  this  state,  bordering  upon  despair,  several  of  the 
Mohawk  chiefs  arrived,  and  urged  them  to  stay.  They 
addressed  them  affectionately,  recommended  a  union  of 
the  colonies,  and  a  perseverance  in  the  war.  In  their 
native  simplicity  they  say,  *'  The  French  have  broken 
open  our  house  at  both  ends;  formerly  in  the  Seneca 
country,  and  now  here.-'  This  expression  had  reference 
to  entering  both  ends  of  their  country. 
•  The  French,  in  this  expedition,  set  out  from  Cham- 
bly,  on  Sorel,  and  proceeded  up  lake  Champlain  to 
Wood  creek,  or  the  head  of  South  bay,  from  whence 
they  crossed  over  to  the  Hudson,  at  Sandy  Hill,  and  then 
went  down  that  river  on  the  ice  to  Saratoga.  Here  they 
left  it,  and  marched  through  the  woods  to  Schenectady. 
Most  of  the  way  was  on  the  ice.  The  advance  went  for- 
ward on  snow  shoes.  The  main  followed  their  trail. 
Incredible  were  the  hardships  suffered  by  this  veteran 
band. 

This  summer,  1691,  Major  Schuyler  with  some  volun- 
teers, and  a  party  of  Mohawks,  passed  through  lake; 
Champlain,  and  made  an  irruption  into  Canada,  and  de- 
vastated some  of  the  French  settlements  on  the  Sorel. 
M.  de  Callieres,  the  governor  of  Montreal,  to  oppose- 
him,  collected  a  small  army,  and  encamped  at  La  Prai- 
rie. Several  skirmishes  took  place  between  the  hostile 
parties,  and  in  these,  it  is  said,  that  Schuyler  slew  about 
three  hundred  of  the  enemy,  a  number  which  exceeded 
that  of  his  own  force,  a  thing  not  at  all  likely.  Major 
Schuyler's  design  in  this  incursion,  was  to  reanimate  the 
Mohawks,  and  preserve  their  enmity  against  the  French. 
They  accordingly,  with  the  other  members  of  the  nation,, 
continued  their  hostilities,  making  numerous  inroads  into 
Canada,  and  keeping  the  country  in  constant  alarm. 

Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher  arrived  with  the  commission  ol 
Governor,  on  the  29th  of  August,  1692. 

[Annals,  x.]  16 


178  Macauley-s  Account  of  Albany. 

Fletcher  was  brave,  active,  passionate,  bigoted,  and 
avaricious,  and  withal  of  inconsiderable  talents.  In  the 
autumn  after  his  arrival  he  repaired  to  Albany,  where 
he  had  an  interview  with  the  Agoneasean  chiefs,  and 
confirmed  the  old  league. 

While  at  Albany  he  became  acquainted  with  Major 
Schuyler,  a  man  of  talents,  enterprise  and  courage.  No 
person  then  in  the  province,  understood  the  state  of  our 
affairs  with  the  Agoneaseah  better  than  him.  He  had  so 
great  an  influence  over  them  that  whatever  he  recom- 
mended or  disapproved  had  the  force  of  a  law.  This 
influence  over  them  was  supported,  as  it  had  been  0)3- 
tained,  by  repeated  offices  of  kindness,  and  his  singular 
bravery  and  activity  in  the  defence  of  his  country. 
These  qualifications,  so  rarely  to  be  found  in  a  single  in- 
dividual, rendered  him  singularly  necessary,  both  to  the 
province  and  the  governor.  Fletcher,  who  possessed 
some  sagacity,  perceived  that  such  a  man  would  be  high- 
ly useful,  not  only  for  himself,  as  an  adviser,  but  for  the 
country,  took  him  into  confidence,  and  made  him  one  of 
the  council.  Under  the  tutelage  of  Major  Schuyler,  the 
governor  became  daily  more  and  more  conversant  with 
the  Agoneasean  concerns:  his  constant  application  to 
which  procured  and  preserved  him  a  reputation  and  in- 
fluence in  the  colony. 

The  indefatigable  and  gallant  count  de  Frontenac,  find- 
ing that  all  his  measures  for  accomplishing  a  peace  with  the 
Agoneaseah  had  proved  abortive,  was  now  meditating  a 
blow  upon  the  Mohawks.  He  accordingly  collected  six 
or  seven  hundred  French,  Adirondacks,  and  Caughnawa- 
gas,  and  supplied  them  with  every  thing  necessary  for  a 
winter's  campaign.  They  set  out  from  Montreal,  on  the 
15th  day  of  January,  1693,  and  proceeded  by  the  way  of 
lake  Champlain ;  and  after  a  march  attended  with  incred- 
ible hardships,  they  passed  by  Schenectady  on  the  6th  of 
February,  and  that  night  took  five  men,  and  some  women 
and  children,  at  the  first  castle  of  the  Mohawks.  They 
met  with  the  same  success  at  the  second  castle,  the  Mo- 
hawks being  in  perfect  security,  and  many  of  them  at 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  179 

Schenectady.  At  the  third  they  found  about  forty  men 
engaged  in  a  war  dance,  preparatory  to  going  out  on 
some  enterprise  the  next  day.  Upon  their  entering  the 
castle  a  conflict  ensued  in  which  the  French  lost  some 
men.  Three  hundred  of  the  Mohawks  were  made  cap- 
tives in  this  expedition. 

The  Mohawks  were  greatly  enraged  at  the  people  of 
Schenectady,  because,  they  had  not  given  them  notice  of 
the  enemy's  approach,  nor  any  assistance.  But  this  was 
atoned  for  by  the  succors  from  Albany.  Colonel  Schuy- 
ler  upon  hearing  of  their  misfortunes,  immediately  put 
himself  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  volunteers,  and  went 
out  against  the  enemy.  On  the  fifteenth  of  February,  he 
was  joined  by  three  hundred  Mohawks  badly  armed. 
With  these  forces,  he  went  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy, 
whom  he  fell  in  with,  on  the  seventeenth,  when  some 
skirmishes  ensued.  The  French  being  apprehensive  that 
colonel  Schuyler  would  receive  a  reinforcement  from 
Albany,  continued  their  retreat  on  the  eighteenth.  In- 
deed this  apprehension  was  well  founded  ;  for  captain 
Syms  arrived  the  next  day  with  eighty  men.  Colonel 
Schuyler  then  resumed  the  pursuit ;  but  did  not  think  it 
advisable  to  provoke  an  attack.  When  the  French  had 
reached  the  north  branch  of  Hudson's  river,  it  is  said, 
that  a  cake  of  ice  served  them  to  cross  over,  being  open 
on  both  sides,  and  also  above  and  below. 

The  frost  was  now  extremely  severe,  and  the  Mohawks 
being  fearful  of  an  engagement,  dissuaded  Colonel  Schuy- 
ler from  pursuing  them,  and  he  returned. 

On  the  tenth  of  April,  1693,  six  thousand  pounds  were 
voted  for  the  payment  of  three  hundred  men,  to  be  em- 
ployed in  reinforcing  the  frontier  posts,  in  the  then  coun- 
ty of  Albany. 

In  1701,  the  British  crown  gave  two  thousand  pounds 
for  the  defence  of  Albany  and  Schenectady. 

Great  were  the  struggles,  at  the  ensuing  election,  be- 
hveen  the  Leislerians  and  the  Anti-Leislerians,  but  the 
former  prevailed. 

Among  the  opposers  of  Leisler  there  was  a  Mr.  Liv- 


180  Macauley's  Account  of  Albany. 

ingston.  The  measures  of  the  convention,  at  Albany, 
had  been  very  much  directed  by  his  advice,  and  he  was 
now  obnoxious  to  his  adversaries,  not  only  on  these  ac- 
counts but  because  he  was  a  man  of  sense  and  resolution, 
two  qualifications  rarely  to  be  found  united  in  one  per- 
son at  that  day.  His  intimacy  with  the  late  earl  had 
till  that  time  been  his  defence  against  the  rage  of  the 
party  which  he  had  formerly  opposed.  They  were, 
therefore,  now  bent  upon  his  destruction.  Several  charges 
were  made  against  him  which  were  false;  and  it  was 
proposed  to  pass  a  law  to  confiscate  his  estate.  One  of 
the  charges  was  his  refusing  to  account  for  moneys  re- 
ceived as  commissioner  of  excise.  He  could  not  account 
because  his  opponents  had,  previous  to  making  the  charge, 
•drawn  out  of  his  hands  the  books  and  vouchers,  which 
they  declined  allowing  him  access  to. 

In  1709,  a  road  was  opened  by  the  colonial  troops 
from  fort  Anne  to  White  Hall,  near  the  head  of  lake 
Champlain. 

The  forces  under  general  Winthrop,  in  1690,  had  made 
a  road  from  the  uper  part  of  Saratoga,  to  the  place  where 
fort  Anne  was  built. 

Colonel  Schuyler  was  dispatched  with  five  of  the  Ago- 
•neasean  chiefs  to  England,  with  an  address.  No  man  at  t 
this  time  was  bettor  calculated  for  this  design,  than  col- 
onel Schuyler.  He  had  been  born  and  brought  up  at  Al- 
>bany,  then  the  seat  of  the  Indian  trade,  and  influence. 
He  was  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  manners,  customs, 
-and  character  of  the  Indians.  His  influence  with  the 
Agoneaseah  was  greater  than  that  of  any  other  man. 
Whenever  their  chiefs  came  to  Albany,  he  invited  them 
to  entertainments  at  his  house.  It  was  in  this  way,  that 
he  had  acquired  an  ascendancy  over  them. 

Colonel  Schuyler's  arrival  in  England  with  the  Ago- 
neasean  chiefs  excited  considerable  notice.  Wherever 
he  went  the  people  collected  in  crowds. 

The  peers,  lords,  and  commons,  desired  to  see  them. 
The  queen  and  her  court  were  no  less  solicitous. 

The  court  of  St.  James  was  then  in  mourning.     The 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  181 

chiefs  were  therefore  dressed  in  mourning,  and  had  an 
audience  with  her  majesty.  Sir  Charles  Cotterel,  master 
of  the  ceremonies,  conducted  them  from  their  quarters 
to  the  court,  where  they  were  introduced  by  the  lord 
Chamberlain,  into  the  royal  presence.  Their  speech  on. 
the  19th  of  April,  1710,  is  preserved  by  Oldmixon. 

The  legislature,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  June,  1719, 
voted  a  sum  of  money  to  construct  a  bridge  over  Kinder- 
hook  creek,  in  the  county  of  Albany.  The  place  located 
for  this  bridge,  was  close  by  the  village  of  Kinderhook 
in  Columbia  county. 

In  the  same  law,  provision  was  made  for  altering  some 
roads  in  the  province.  Claverack  was  settled  about  the 
same  time  that  Kinderhook  was.  The  first  settlers  at 
the  latter  place  were  a  few  Swedish  families.  The  Dutch 
and  English  came  afterwards. 

William  Burnet,  Esq.  superseded  colonel  Schuyler,  the 
president,  as  governor  of  the  province,  on  the  17th  of 
September,  1720. 

The  year  1722  was  remarkable  for  a  congress  of  several 
governors  and  commissioners  at  Albany.  The  ancient 
friendship  with  the  Agoneaseah  was  renewed  at  the  same 
time.  Mr.  Burnet  prevailed  upon  them  to  send  a  mes- 
sage to  the  Eastern  Indians,  threatening  them  with  a 
war,  unless  they  concluded  a  peace  with  the  colonies  of 
Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  which  were  greatly 
harrassed  by  their  frequent  irruptions. 

Albany  was  at  this  time  a  great  mart  for  fur.  In  July, 
1723,  the  house  appropriated  a  sum  to  defray  the  expense 
of  two  sheds,  which  had  been  erected  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  Agoneaseah  and  other  Indians,  who  came 
there  to  vend  their  skins. 

In  1724,  provision  was  made  for  fortifying  Albany. 
In  an  act  passed  by  the  assembly,  July  24th,  Claverack 
is  described  as  a  precinct  in  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwick. 
The  Dutch  then  occupied  the  flats  along  Claverack  creek. 

From  an  act  of  the  same  date,  it  appears  that  Scho- 
harie  was  then  called  a  precinct.  The  act  provided  for 
laying  out,  and  opening  a  road  therein.  Schoharie  was 


182  Macauley's  Account  of  Albany. 

settled  in  1713,  by  the  Germans.  Some  Dutch  families 
seated  themselves  there  soon  afterwards. 

In  March,  1744,  war  broke  out  between  England  and 
France.  Three  thousand  two  hundred  pounds  were  voted 
for  placing  the  frontier  posts  in  attitudes  of  defence;  be- 
sides an  additional  sum  for  the  works  at  Albany. 

The  English  ministry,  in  the  early  part  of  the  year 
1745,  instructed  the  governor  of  New  York,  to  carry  the 
war  into  Canada. 

Military  sentinels  were  established  in  the  city  and 
county  of  Albany,  in  order  to  sound  the  alarm,  in  case 
the  enemy  should  send  marauding  parties  into  the  pro- 
vince. England  and  France  were  now  preparing  to 
prosecute  the  war  with  vigor.  The  colonies  of  both 
countries  were  also  making  preparations. 

Intelligence  had  found  its  way  into  the  province,  that 
the  French  intended  to  invade  it  from  Canada,  with 
fifteen  hundred  veterans,  and  one  hundred  Indians.  This 
occasioned  considerable  alarm.  Colonel  Schuyler,  and 
Major  Collins,  who  commanded  a  body  of  provincials 
then  at  Saratoga,  were  obliged  to  suspend  the  construc- 
tion of  six  block-houses,  which  they  had  begun  to  make, 
in  consequence  of  the  assaults  of  the  Indians  in  the  em- 
ployment of  France,  on  their  men.  These  parties  in  a 
measure  intercepted  the  supplies  of  men  and  provisions, 
going  to  Saratoga. 

Murders  were  often  committed  by  the  enemy,  within  a 
few  miles  of  Albany.  Two  hundred  men  were  drafted 
to  increase  and  strengthen  the  garrisons  at  the  latter 
place  and  Schenectady.  These  were  drafted  from  the 
militia  of  Suffolk,  Queens,  Westchester,  Dutchess,  Ulster, 
and  Orange.  The  settlements  of  Saratoga  and  Hoosack, 
were  broken  up,  and  the  inhabitants  retired  either  to 
Albany,  or  those  parts  near  it.  Most  of  the  houses  were 
burnt  by  the  Indians,  and  the  districts  entirely  devas- 
tated ;  and  no  inconsiderable  number  of  the  people  were 
killed,  or  carried  away  into  captivity. 

The  assembly,  in  the  month  of  February,  1746,  passed 
a  law  giving  rewards  for  such  scalps,  and  prisoners  of 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  183 

the  enemy,  as  should  be  taken.  In  palliation  for  the 
enactment  of  such  a  law,  the  framers  alleged  it  was 
retaliatory,  and  made  to  induce  the  enemy  to  conduct 
the  war  with  more  humanity  on  their  part. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  the  enemy  and  their  In- 
dians had  become  so  emboldened  with  success,  that  small 
marauding  parties  came  frequently  in  the  very  vicinity 
of  Albany,  and  there  were  not  instances  wanting  of  their 
entering  the  suburbs  at  night,  and  carrying  off  persons. 

Thirteen  thousand  pounds  were  voted  for  the  defence 
of  the  province. 

The  borders  of  the  province,  notwithstanding  the  mea- 
sures adopted  by  government  for  their  defence,  continued 
to  be  exposed  to  all  the  horrors  of  savage  warfare.  In 
May,  several  persons  were  murdered  hard  by  Schenecta- 
dy,  and  some  buildings  burnt. 

The  border  inhabitants  were  filled  with  consternation. 
In  general,  the  settlements  were  deserted,  the  people 
having  retired  to  the  block-houses,  and  other  places  of 
security.  To  guard  against  the  inroads  and  attacks  of 
the  enemy,  was  impracticable,  on  account  of  the  extent 
and  insular  positions  of  the  settlements.  All  the  men 
in  the  province  would  have  been  inadequate  to  have 
completely  protected  the  county  of  Albany. 

Those  of  Schenectady,  Caughnawaga,  Esopus,  and 
Minisink,  were  nearly  in  a  like  condition.  Even  Kinder- 
hook,  Claverack,  and  Poughkeepsie,  although  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Hudson,  were  not  exempt  from  danger.  A 
thick  forest  extended  all  the  way  from  Kinderhook  to 
the  St.  Lawrence.  The  forsaken  settlement  at  Hoosack, 
scarcely  formed  a  highway  across  it. 

An  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  feebleness  of  the  settle- 
ments of  Claverack  and  Kinderhook,  from  the  considera- 
tion that  there  was  only  one  block-house  at  each  place. 
Under  these  alarming  circumstances,  when  destruction 
menaced  the  interior  and  remote  parts  of  the  province; 
several  spirited  individuals  came  forward  and  volunteered 
their  services.  Among  these  was  a  Mr.  Abraham  Glen 
of  Schenectady,  who  headed  one  hundred  volunteers. 


184  Macauley's  Account  of  Albany. 

The  assembly,  among  the  laws  which  it  enacted,  passed 
one  whereby  ship  carpenters,  house  carpenters,  joiners, 
sawyers,  and  all  artificers,  and  laborers,  were  arbitrarily 
pressed  into  the  public  service;  and  also  horses,  wagons, 
and  all  other  things  which  could  tend  to  the  invasion, 
were  placed  at  the  discretion  of  the  officers  entrusted 
with  the  management  of  the  enterprise.  The  county  of 
Albany  alone  had  to  furnish  three  hundred  men. 

The  city  of  Albany  in  the  summer  of  this  year,  was 
visited  by  a  contagious  disease,  which  swept  away  no 
inconsiderable  number  of  its  inhabitants.  The  Agonea- 
seah  then  encamped  in  its  environs,  were  not  exempt 
from  the  same  disease,  which  proved  fatal  to  many,  and 
occasioned  the  governor  to  send  the  survivors  home. 

In  1747,  some  differences  occurred  between  the  assem- 
bly and  the  governor  in  respect  to  the  provincial  troops. 
From  it,  we  learn  that  there  were  four  companies  of 
men  stationed  at  Halfmoon;  two  at  Schaghtikoke;  three 
at  Saratoga;  three  at  Connestigune;  two  at  Schenectady; 
one  at  fort  Hunter;  and  one  between  that  place  and 
Schenectady.  In  addition  to  these,  there  were  men  sta- 
tioned at  Kinderhook,  Schoharie,  Caughnawaga,  Stone 
Arabia,  Canojoharie,  and  Germanflats;  Ulster  and  Or- 
ange had  also  some  small  garrisons.  The  main  body  of 
the  provincial  forces  was  stationed  at  Albany. 

The  Indians  of  the  enemy,  this  year,  waylaid  a  party 
of  men  belonging  to  Schenectady,  who  went  out  for  tim- 
ber, and  killed  thirty-nine.  The  place  where  these  men 
fell,  is  about  four  miles  north-north-west  of  the  city,  in 
the  town  of  Glenville. 

On  the  eighth  of  April,  1748,  the  assembly  passed  a 
law,  which  authorized  the  inhabitants  of  Schenectady,  to 
construct  two  block-houses  for  its  defence. 

The  treaty  of  peace  concluded  between  Great  Britain 
and  France,  on  the  seventh  of  October,  1747,  put  an 
end  to  the  war;  but  the  Indians  did  not  cease  their  hos- 
tilities till  some  time  in  the  year  1749. 

Albany  was  settled  in  the  year  1614,  by  some  Holland- 
ers, and  very  soon  after  New  York,  but  it  was  not  erect- 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  185 

ed  into  a  county  till  the  first  of  November,  1683.  It  is 
bounded  eastwardly  by  the  Hudson,  southwardly  by 
Greene,  westwardly  by  Schoharie,  and  northwardly  by 
Schenectady  and  Saratoga;  the  outlines  of  this  county 
have  enough  of  uniformity.  Its  greatest  length  from  east 
to  west  is  about  twenty-four  miles,  and  its  greatest 
breadth  from  north  to  south  is  twenty-two.  After  mak- 
ing some  small  deductions  from  its  length  and  breadth, 
as  given,  it  will  be  found  to  contain  about  three  hundred 
and  nine  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land, 
or  four  hundred  and  eighty-four  square  miles.  The 
number  of  acres  under  Improvement,  in  1825,  was  one 
hundred  and  ninety  thousand  five  hundred,  very  nearly 
two-thirds  of  the  whole.  The  county,  exclusive  of  the 
city  of  Albany,  is  subdivided  into  eight  towns.  Its  popu- 
lation is  forty-two  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty- 
one,  which  gives  rather  over  eighty-eight  to  every  square 
mile 

Albany  displays  almost  every  variety  of  aspect  and 
soil.  On  the  east  are  extensive  sandy  plains,  interspersed 
with  tolerably  productive  spots;  in  the  middle  are  cham- 
paigns, beautified  with  gentle  swells,  while  in  the  west 
and  south-west  there  are  hills,  and  the  precipitous  and 
craggy  Helderberg.  The  lands  along  the  bank  of  the 
Hudson  are  rich.  Those  of  the  champaigns  and  hills 
are  middling,  and  very  improvable.  Most  of  the  plains, 
which  were  formerly  considered  mere  barrens,  are  suscep- 
tible of  cultivation,  and  under  good  husbandry  may  be 
made  to  yield  abundant  crops.  The  plains  are  from  five 
to  eleven  miles  broad,  and  stretch  from  north  to  south 
nearly  through  the  county. 

Exclusive  of  the  Hudson  and  Mohawk,  which  wash 
the  county  on  the  east  and  north  as  far  as  the  county  of 
Schenectady,  there  are  the  Norman's  kill,  Cat's  kill.  Fox 
creek,  and  some  other  smaller  streams.  Norman's  kill  en- 
ters from  Duanesburg,  and  flows  south-easterly  eighteen 
miles,  and  mingles  with  the  waters  of  the  Hudson.  Cat's- 
kill  crosses  the  south-westerly  corner  of  the  county  from 
Schoharie  into  Greene.  Several  branches  of  this  creek 


186  Macauley's  Account  of  Albany. 

rise  in  the  county  of  Albany.  Fox  creek  descends  west- 
wardly  into  the  Schoharie. 

Albany,*  the  second  city  in  the  state  in  population, 
commerce,  and  wealth,  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Hudson,  about  one  hundred  and  forty-five  miles  north- 
wardly of  the  city  of  New  York,  in  north  latitude  forty- 
two  degrees  and  thirty-nine  minutes.  It  is  built  partly 
on  a  flat,  and  partly  on  the  side  of  a  hill.  The  streets 
are  generally  crooked  and  narrow.  The  hill  rises  with 
a  pretty  steep  acclivity,  and  has  an  elevation  of  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile 
from  the  river,  and  two  hundred  and  ten  at  the  distance 
of  one  mile;  here  the  plain,  spreading  west  wardly,  begins. 
From  the  border  of  this  plain  there  is  an  extensive  view 
eastwardly,  and  south-eastwardly.| 

Albany  in  1825  contained  about  sixteen  thousand  in- 
habitants, and  three  thousand  dwelling  houses  and  stores, 
twelve  houses  for  public  worship,  a  state-house,  three 
banks,  the  capitol,  a  court-house  and  jail,  an  academy, 
theatre,  museum,  and  an  arsenal.  Its  population  at  pre- 
sent (1829)  is  about  twenty  thousand. 

The  academy  is  constructed  of  red  sandstone.  It  is 
ninety  feet  square,  and  three  stories  high,  apart  from  its 
basement.  The  Albany  Lyceum  is  kept  in  it.  It  is  the 
handsomest  edifice  in  the  city. 

*  The  spot  where  this  city  now  stands  was  at  first  called  by  the 
Dutch  Aurania;  then  Beverwyck,  till  1625 ;  then  Fort  Orange,  till 
1647,  and  Williamstadt,  till  1664.  All  this  time  it  had  also  the  name 
of  the  Fuyck.  Fort  Orange  was  built  in  1623,  and  Williamstadt,  in 
1647.  At  first  a  hamlet,  then  a  village,  and  afterwards  a  town,  and 
lastly  a  city.  For  a  long  time  after  its  foundation  it  was  enclosed 
with  pickets  (palisadoes.) 

f  By  a  late  survey  the  distance  between  New  York  and  Albany,  by 
the  road  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  has  been  found  only  145  miles. 
According  to  the  latitudes  the  distance  is  still  less,  being  only  one 
hundred  and  thirty-five  miles  and  a  half,  and  eight  rods.  The  re- 
ceived distances  of  all  the  intermediate  towns  and  villages  on  and  near 
the  river  from  these  two  cities  are  incorrect.  Hudson,  for  instance,  is 
about  one  hundred  and  eight  miles  by  its  latitude  from  the  city  of 
New  York.  By  the  river  the  distance  does  not  exceed  one  hundred 
and  sixteen  miles.  The  latitudinal  discance  from  Hudson  to  Albany 
is  about  twenty-five  miles. 


Macauley's  Account  of  Albany.  187 

The  Capitol,  or  State-House,  stands  at  the  head  of 
State  street;  its  base  is  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet 
above  the  Hudson;  the  structure  is  brick  faced  with  red 
sandstone.  It  is  one  hundred  and  fifteen  feet  long,  nine- 
ty broad,  and  fifty  high,  exclusive  of  the  basement  story 
and  the  roof.  The  legislature  of  the  state,  the  supreme 
and  county  courts  sit  in  it.  In  the  structure  of  this  edi- 
fice the  rules  of  architecture,  whether  Egyptian,  Hindoo, 
Chinese,  Grecian,  Roman,  Saracenic,  Gothic,  or  compos- 
ite, have  been  violated. 

The  Erie  and  Champlain  canals  terminate  at  the  city 
in  a  spacious  basin.  Sloops  carrying  from  ninety  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  tons  come  up  to  the  city.  The  bars 
below  are  serious  impediments  to  the  navigation  of  the 
river;  these  might  be  obviated  by  a  canal  ten  or  twelve 
miles  long,  and  then  vessels  of  two  or  three  hundred 
tons  might  make  their  way  up. 

Albany  was  incorporated  in  the  year  1686,  by  Colonel 
Dongan,  governor  of  the  colony.  In  1750  it  contained 
three  hundred  and  fifty  houses.  From  its  foundation  till 
the  close  of  the  revolution  it  was  palisadoed  and  fortified. 
Here  all  the  treaties  with  the  Agoneaseah,  and  other 
Indians,  were  ccncluded.  It  used  to  be  a  great  mart 
for  fur. 

The  exact  time  when  Albany  was  founded  is  not 
known.  In  1614  the  Dutch  erected  a  small  fort  and  a 
trading  house,  on  an  island  half  a  mile  below  the  site  of 
the  present  city.  In  1623  they  built  fort  Orange  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  within  the  bounds  of  the  present 
city.  Some  have  alleged  that  they  made  the  latter  fort 
in  1614.  If  this  be  true,  Albany  is  the  oldest  town 
in  the  United  States,  but  if  the  preceding,  then  New 
York,  Esopus,  and  Schenectady  take  precedence.  Not- 
withstanding the  allegation,  we  have  no  doubt  New 
York  is  the  oldest  of  the  two.  A  village  sprung  up 
near  the  fort,  which  was  afterwards  enlarged  and  be- 
came a  city. 

Mr.  Stuyvesant,  the  governor  of  the  New  Netherlands, 
in  a  letter  to  Col.  Nicolls,  September  2d,  1664,  says,  that 


188  Macauley's  Account  of  Albany. 

the  Dutch  came  up  the  North  River,  in  the  years  1614, 
1615,  and  1616,  near  fort  Orange,  where  to  hinder  the 
invasions  and  massacres  commonly  committed  by  the 
savages,  they  built  a  small  fort.  A  little  before  in  the 
same  letter  he  says,  we  have  enjoyed  fort  Orange  about 
forty-eight  or  fifty  years,  and  the  Manhattans  about  forty- 
one  or  forty-two  years.  See  Smith's  Hist.  p.  28.  Alba- 
ny was  called  Schau-naugh-ta-da,  by  the  Agoneaseah. 
The  definition  of  which  is,  over  the  pine  plains,  or  across 
the  pine  plains,  on  the  Cahohatatea  (Hudson's  River). 
The  Dutch  in  after  times  applied  it  to  the  place  where 
Schenectady  now  stands,  as  being  over  the  plains  from 
Albany.  Hence  the  radical  of  Schenectady. 

Greenbush  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  over 
against  the  lower  part  of  the  city  of  Albany.  It  is  built 
on  the  river  bottom,  and  has  about  one  hundred  houses. 
The  present  village  was  founded  in  1812. 

Troy  was  also  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson, 
at  the  head  of  sloop  navigation.  It  is  six  miles  north 
of  Albany,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  north  of  New 
York.  The  Erie  and  Champlain  canals  are  joined  to  the 
Hudson  by  side  cuts,  and  locks,  so  as  to  benefit  this  place. 
Troy  is  built  on  a  handsome  plain,  of  several  miles  ex- 
tent, lying  between  the  river  and  hill,  and  contains  about 
eleven  thousand  inhabitants.  There  are  here  two  banks, 
and  six  or  seven  houses  for  public  worship;  also  a  court 
house  and  jail.  After  Albany,  Troy  is  the  most  wealthy, 
commercial  and  populous  city  on  the  Hudson.  It  was 
founded  between  1787,  and  1790;  incorporated  as  a  vil- 
lage in  1801,  and  as  a  city  in  1816.  In  point  of  location, 
it  nearly  equals  Albany.  It  is  the  shire  town  of  the 
county  of  Rensselaer.  The  tide  ascends  to  this  place. 

Gibbonsville  in  the  county  of  Albany,  west  of  Troy, 
contains  about  eighty  houses.  There  are  two  large  basins 
here  appended  to  the  Erie  canal.  The  one  is  connected 
with  the  Hudson  by  a  side  cut,  and  two  locks.  There  is 
an  arsenal  at  this  place. 


(  189  ) 

RANDOM  RECOLLECTIONS. 


[The  following  reminiscences  were  written  by  GORHAM  A.  WORTH, 
Esq.,  who  was  sometime  Cashier  of  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers' 
Bank  in  this  city,  and  afterwards  president  of  the  City  Bank  in  New 
York.  He  died  in  that  city  in  1856,  aged  73.  Like  all  other  Recol- 
lections they  are  occasionally  discrepant.  An  octogenarian,  on  the 
publication  of  Mr.  Worth's  pamphlet,  wrote  some  strictures  upon  it 
for  the  newspapers,  whifch  are  appended  as  notes  with  his 
initials.  The  last  one  is  by  another  hand.] 

In  commencing  these  reminiscences,  I  prefer  to  say 
that  my  first  visit  to  Albany  was  just  before  the  election 
of  Mr.  Jefferson,  or  the  Great  Apostle  as  he  is  sometimes 
called.  Not  that  the  visit  had  any  thing  to  do, 
either  with  the  election  of  Mr.  Jefferson  or  the  fortunes 
of  his  followers,  but  because  it  was  an  epoch  in  my  own 
personal  history,  as  the  election  of  Mr.  Jefferson  was,  in 
the  history  of  the  country. 

I  had  then  just  launched  my  "  light  untimbered  bark" 
upon  the  ocean  of  life;  with  no  guide  but  Providence, 
and  with  no  hand  but  my  own  to  direct  its  course. 
Never  shall  I  forget  the  deep  feeling  of  loneliness  that 
came  over  me  when  the  receding  headlands  of  my  native 
bay  disappeared  in  the  distance,  and  I  found  myself,  for 
the  first  time  in  my  life,  alone  on  the  waters. 

It  was  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  in  the  autumn  of  the 
year  eighteen  hundred,  that  I  first  set  my  foot  within  the 
precincts  of  the  ancient  and  far-famed  city  of  Albany.  It 
is  true,  I  had  passed  through  the  city  some  ten  or  twelve 
years  before,  but  'twas  on  a  rainy  day,  and  in  a  covered 
wagon;  and  as  the  only  glimpse  I  had  of  the  town,  was 
obtained  through  a  hole  in  the  canvas,  I  set  it  down  as 
nothing,  since,  in  reality,  it  amounted  to  nothing. 

I  am,  however,  well  aware  that  an  intelligent,  sharp- 
sighted  English  traveler,  such  for  instance,  as  Fearon, 
Hall,  or  Marryat,  would  have  seen,  even  through  a 

[Annals,  x.]  17 


190  Random  Recollections. 

smaller  aperture,  and  under  less  favorable  circumstances, 
enough  to  have  enabled  him  to  have  given  you,  not  only 
the  exact  topography  of  the  town  and  its  localities,  but 
a  full  and  accurate  account  of  its  different  religious  deno- 
minations, the  state  of  its  society,  the  number  of  its  slaves 
and  the  character  of  its  inns ;  together  with  many  sage 
reflections  upon  the  demoralizing  tendency  of  republican 
governments  ! 

But  this  faculty  of  taking  in  all  things  at  a  single 
glance  ;  this  ability  to  see  more  than  is  to  be  seen,  is  one 
of  the  many  advantages  which  the  English  traveler  pos- 
sesses over  all  others,  and  which  in  fact  distinguishes 
him  from  the  traveler  of  every  other  country  on  the  face 
of  the  globe — the  land  of  Munchausen  not  except ed  !  I 
mention  these  things  merely  to  satisfy  the  reader  that  I 
might  have  made  something  out  of  the  affair  of  the 
covered  wagon,  had  I  been  so  disposed.  But  'tis  not  my 
intention,  nor  was  it  when  I  commenced  these  reminis- 
cences, to  draw  upon  my  imagination  for  a  single  fact. 
I  have  materials  in  abundance,  and  can  not,  therefore,  be 
tempted  to  go  out  of  my  way  to  recollect  incidents  which 
never  happened,  or  to  describe  things  which  I  never  saw. 

The  city  of  Albany,  in  1800,  though  the  capital  of  the 
state,  and  occupying  a  commanding  position,  was,  never- 
theless, in  point  of  size,  commercial  importance,  and 
architectural  dignity,  but  a  third  or  fourth  rate  town.  It 
was  not,  in  some  respects,  what  it  might  have  been;  but 
it  was,  in  all  respects,  unlike  what  it  now  is.  Its  popu- 
lation could  not,  I  think,  have  exceeded  some  seven  or 
eight  thousand. 

Albany  has  probably  undergone  a  greater  change,  not 
only  in  its  physical  aspect,  but  in  the  habits  and  cha- 
racter of  its  population,  than  any  other  city  in  the  United 
States.  It  was,  even  in  1800,  an  old  town  (with  one 
exception,  I  believe,  the  oldest  in  the  country),  but  the 
face  of  nature  in  and  around  it  had  been  but  little  dis- 
turbed. Old  as  it  was,  it  still  retained  its  primitive 
aspect,  and  still  stood  in  all  its  original  simplicity;  main- 
taining its  quaint  and  quiescent  character,  unchanged, 


Random  Recollections.  191 

unmodified,  unimproved;  still  pertinaciously  adhering, 
in  all  its  walks,  to  the  old  track  and  the  old  form. 

The  rude  hand  of  innovation,  however,  was  then  just 
beginning  to  be  felt;  and  slight  as  was  the  touch,  it  was 
felt  as  an  injury,  or  resented  as  an  insult. 

Nothing  could  be  more  unique  or  picturesque  to  the 
eye,  than  Albany  in  its  primitive  days.  Even  at  the 
period  above  mentioned,  it  struck  me  as  peculiarly  naive 
and  beautiful.  All  was  antique,  clean  and  quiet.  There 
was  no  noise,  no  hurry,  no  confusion.  There  was  no 
putting  up,  nor  pulling  down;  no  ill- looking  excavations, 
no  leveling  of  hills,  no  filling  up  of  valleys:  in  short, 
none  of  those  villainous  improvements,  which  disfigure 
the  face  of  nature,  and  exhibit  the  restless  spirit  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  race.  The  stinted  pines  still  covered  the 
hills  to  the  very  edge  of  the  city,  and  the  ravines  and 
valleys  were  clothed  with  evergreens,  intermixed  with 
briars,  and  spangled  with  the  wild  rose. 

The  margin  of  the  river,  witli  the  exception  of  an 
opening  at  the  foot  of  State  street,  extending  down  to  the 
ferry,  was  overhung  with  willows,  and  shaded  by  the 
wide  spreading  elm.*  The  little  islands  below  the  town 
were  feathered  with  foliage  down  to  the  very  water's 
edge,  and  bordered  with  stately  trees,  whose  forms  were 
mirrored  in  the  stream  below.  As  far  as  the  eye  could 


*  [It  is  said  that  there  were  docks  at  this  time  from  Maiden  lane 
to  the  Watering  place,  as  it  was  called,  now  the  Steamboat  landing. 
At  the  latter  place  was  Hodge's  dock,  and  above  it  the  State  dock, 
built  in  the  French  war.]  At  the  foot  of  Maiden  lane  was  Fish  slip, 
where  the  sturgeon  were  sold.  On  Quay  street  were  stores  and 
dwelling  houses,  and  a  tavern.  If  our  author,  when  he  first  set  his 
foot  in  this  "jewel  of  antiquity,"  had  taken  a  walk  to  this  world- 
renowned  sturgeon  slip,  "  a  little  after  sun  rise,"  he  would  have 
witnessed  a  scene  that  would  have  cast  the  willows  and  elm  trees 
into  the  deep  shade  of  a  forgotten  past.  There  was  the  quiet  ancient 
burner,  elbowed  aside  by  his  Old  and  New  England,  Scotch  and 
Irish  brethren,  more  clamorous  and  eager  for  Albany  beef  than  him- 
self. If  he  had  not  beforehand  entered  into  a  confederacy  with  the 
Etsbergers  and  Reckhows,  lords  of  the  slip,  he  must  infallibly  have 
gone  home  dinnerless  and  desponding.  J.  Q.  w. 


192  Random  Recollections. 

extend,  up  and  down  the  river,  all  remained  compara- 
tively wild  and  beautiful,  while  the  city  itself  was  a  cu- 
riosity; nay,  a  perfect  jewel  of  antiquity,  particularly  to 
the  eye  of  one  who  had  been  accustomed  to  the  ' '  white 
house,  green  door,  and  brass  knocker,"  of  the  towns  and 
villages  of  New  England.  Nothing,  indeed,  could  be  more 
picturesque  than  the  view  of  North  Pearl  street,  from  the 
old  elm  at  Webster's  corner,  up  to  the  new  two  steepled 
church.  Pearl  street,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  in 
those  days,  the  west  end  of  the  town;  for  there  the  town 
ended,  and  there  resided  some  of  the  most  aristocratic  of 
the  ancient  burgers.  There,  a  little  after  sun  rise,  in  a 
mild  spring  morning,  might  be  seen,  sitting  by  the  side 
of  their  doors,  the  ancient  and  venerable  mynheers;  with 
their  little  sharp  cocked  hats,  or  red-ringed  worsted  caps, 
(as  the  case  might  be),  drawn  tight  over  their  heads.* 
There  they  sat,  like  monuments  of  a  former  age,  still 
lingering  on  the  verge  of  time ;  or  like  milestones  upon 
a  turnpike  road,  solus  in  solo  !  or,  in  simple  English,  un- 
like any  thing  I  had  ever  seen  before.  But  there  they 
sat,  smoking  their  pipes,  in  that  dignified  silence,  and 
with  that  phlegmatic  gravity,  which  would  have  done 
honor  to  Sir  Walter  Van  Twiller,  or  even  to  Puffendorf 
himself.  The  whole  line  of  the  street,  on  either  side, 
was  dotted  by  the  little  clouds  of  smoke,  that,  issuing 
from  their  pipes,  and,  curling  round  their  noddles,  rose 
slowly  up  the  antique  gables,  and  mingled  with  the  morn- 
ing air;  giving  beauty  to  the  scene,  and  adding  an  air  of 

*  If  the  seer  had  looked  a  second  time,  he  would  have  seen  the 
simple  side  hill  street,  the  grass  covering  the  east  half  of  it.  He 
would  have  seen  the  quiet  citizens  returning  from  their  business  or 
their  morning  walk — but  he  would  not  have  seen  a  single  cocked  hat, 
nor  red  ringed  worsted  cap,  upon  the  head  of  one  of  them,  except 
may  be  that  of  the  venerable  Dr.  Stringer  on  his  professional  morning 
tour.  He  would  have  seen  the  upper  half  of  each  front  door  open, 
and  here  and  there  a  neat  and  thrifty  house-wife,  bending  forward 
over  the  closed  lower  half,  watching  for  her  husband  or  her  sons,  as 
they  came  home  to  breakfast.  He  might  have  seen  that  brass  knocker, 
in  the  form  of  a  dog,  on  the  door  of  Lafayette^s  head-quarters,  unlike 
any  u  knocker"  on  any  "green  door"  in  New  England.  J.  Q.  w. 


Random  Recollections.  193 

life  to  the  picture.  But  the  great  charm  was  in  the  no- 
velty of  the  thing.  I  had  seen  a  Dutch  house  before,  but 
never  till  then  had  I  seen  a  row  of  Dutchmen,  smoking 
in  a  Dutch  city.* 

Albany  was  indeed  Dutch,  in  all  its  moods  and  tenses; 
thoroughly  and  inveterately  Dutch.  The  buildings  were 
Dutch — Dutch  in  style,  in  position,  attitude  and  aspect. 
The  people  were  Dutch,  the  horses  were  Dutch,  and  even 
the  dogs  were  Dutch.  If  any  confirmation  were  wanting, 
as  to  the  origin  and  character  of  the  place,  it  might  be 
found  in  the  old  Dutch  church,  which  was  itself  always  to 
be  found  in  the  middle  of  State  street,  looking  as  if  it  had 
been  wheeled  out  of  line  by  the  giants  of  old,  and  there 
left;  or  had  dropped  down  from  the  clouds  in  a  dark 
night,  and  had  stuck  fast  where  it  fell.f 


*  Shade  of  the  immortal  Diederick!  and  shall  he  not  smoke?  When 
one  of  these  u  ancient  and  venerable  Mynheers,"  who  was  coeval 
with  those  willows  and  elms,  looked  back  to  the  many  times  when, 
in  his  canoe,  he  breasted  the  downward  and  devious  current  of  the 
Mohawk,  with  its  rifts,  falls,  and  portages,  descended  into  Oneida 
lake;  followed  its  outlet  to  Oswego;  coursed  along  the  winding  shores 
of  Ontario  and  Erie  to  Detroit,  up  that  river  to  the  St.  Clair,  and 
along  the  shores  of  Huron,  crossing  Saganaw  bay  to  Macinac,  where 
he  traded  with  the  Indian  for  his  furs,  and  of  his  returns  thence  to 
his  family  in  Pearl  street,  laden  with  the  riches  so  hardly  earned,  the 
labor  of  which  has  reduced  him  to  early  decrepitude,  shall  he  be 
jeered  at  for  his  apathy?  Shall  he  not  smoke,  and  rejoice  to  see  his 
quiet  and  contemplative  neighbor,  who  has  been  in  another  way 
equally  prosperous,  do  so  likewise — without  being  ridiculed  for  his 
grave  dullness?  J.  Q.  W. 

t  It  is  now  more  than  forty  years  since  this  old  edifice  was  removed, 
and  the  only  thing  left  to  mark  the  place  where  it  stood,  is  a  long 
flag-stone  a  few  feet  from  the  cross-walk  between  Douw's  building 
and  the  Exchange,  on  the  north  side  [since  removed  by  some 
modern  Vandal].  There  are  very  few  of  the  present  generation  left 
who  remember  the  position  and  appearance  of  this  antique  but  vene- 
rable building,  and  fewer  still  who  can  realize  the  interesting  recol- 
lections which  from  tradition  cluster  around  it  The  first  church 
was  built  at  a  very  early  day,  and  of  much  smaller  dimensions.  It 
was  placed  in  the  position  where  it  stood,  at  the  intersection  of  what 
is  now  State  street  and  Broadway,  as  a  security  against  Indian  at- 


194  Random  Recollections. 

All  the  old  buildings  in  the  city — and  they  constituted 
a  large  majority — were  but  one  story  high,  with  sharp 
peaked  roofs,  surmounted  by  a  rooster,  vulgarly  called  a 
weathercock.  Every  house,  having  any  pretensions  to 
dignity,  was  placed  with  its  gable  end  to  the  street,  and 
was  ornamented  with  huge  iron  numericals,  announcing 
the  date  of  its  erection ;  while  from  its  eaves  long  wooden 

tacks,  commanding:  Broadway  north  and  south,  and  State  street,  east 
and  west.  The  windows  were  high  from  the  ground,  to  guard  against 
an  escalade,  as  it  was  too  far  north  to  be  protected  by  the  guns  of 
Fort  Orange.  It  was  a  little  fortress  within  itself.  In  those  days 
all  the  men  went  armed  to  church.  The  young  men  were  seated  in 
the  galleries,  that  they  might  be  ready  in  case  of  an  attack  to  sweep 
the  street  either  way  by  their  fire  from  the  windows.  The  old  men 
were  seated  on  a  raised  platform  along  the  walls,  and  the  women  were 
in  the  slips  in  the  centre  and  out  of  the  way  of  any  danger. 

Those  therefore  who  have  been  unwise  enough  to  ridicule  the 
position  of  the  church,  have  done  so  in  their  ignorance  of  the  reasons 
for  its  location.  The  condition  of  these  Dutchmen  and  the  Pilgrims 
of  New  England  were  alike;  both  worshiped  their  Maker  with  arms 
in  their  hands.  The  tradition  goes  that  when  this  old  church  was  to 
be  replaced  by  a  new  one,  the  same  spot  was  selected  for  it,  and  the 
new  church  was  built  round  the  old  one,  and  that  during  the  time 
the  new  one  was  building,  public  service  was  regularly  carried  on  in 
the  old  one,  which  was  interrupted  but  one  sabbath.  The  new 
church  was  like  the  old  one,  and  did  not  differ  from  it,  except  in  size. 
The  same  high  windows,  the  same  arrangement  of  seats,  and  the 
same  separation  of  the  sexes.  There  was  one  striking  difference, 
however.  The  congregation  had  become  more  numerous  and  wealthy, 
and  each  window  bore  the  escutcheon  of  the  several  families  who 
were  dispose  to  pay  for  it,  in  colored  glass.  Each  window  had  an 
outside  shutter,  which  was  fastened  by  a  latch.  These  shutters  were 
never  opened,  except  on  Sunday.  Such  was  this  church,  with  its 
steep  roof,  uniting  in  the  centre,  and  surmounted  with  a  belfry  and 
a  weathercock.  Here  in  this  church',  and  perhaps  also  in  the  old  one, 
the  dead  of  distinguished  families  were  buried.  Here  Lord  Howe, 
who  was  killed  near  Ticonderoga,  in  the  French  war,  found  a  resting 
place,  till  his  remains  were  removed  to  England.  Here  preached 
"  Our  Westerlo,"  by  which  endearing  appellation  the  old  members  of 
the  flock  used  to  designate  their  minister,  which  in  the  Dutch  lan- 
guage, and  from  the  lips  of  an  aged  matron  (Elsie  Fonda),  had  an 
affectionate  softness  about  it  which  the  English  translation  can  not 
convey.  Is  it  strange  that  a  church  from  its  commencement  so  an- 
cient, and  from  its  position  so  interesting,  should^be  dear  to  the  hearts 


Random  Recollections.  195 

gutters,  or  spouts,  projected  in  front  some  six  or  seven 
feet,  so  as  to  discharge  the  water  from  the  roof,  when  it 
rained,  directly  over  the  centre  of  the  sidewalks.  This 
was  probably  contrived  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  were 
compelled  to  be  out  in  wet  weather,  as  it  furnished  them 
with  an  extra  shower  bath  free  of  expense. 

But  the  destined  hour  was  drawing  near.     The  Yan- 

of  those  whose  fathers  and  grandsires  had  worshiped  and  been 
buried  there  ? 

But  this  old  church  might;  to  the  informed  sons  of  the  Pilgiims, 
have  called  up  a  train  of  thought  in  which  it  would  have  been  profit- 
able for  them  to  have  indulged.  Here,  in  this  church,  as  late  as 
the  year  1800,  the  Dutchmen  assembled  on  the  sabbath,  coming  out 
of  the  mixed  population  which  even  then  existed  in  the  city.  Here 
were  to  be  found  the  descendants  of  the  generous  Hollanders,  who  in 
days  long  passed,  had  given  shelter  and  protection  both  to  the  perse- 
cuted Pilgrim  and  to  the  Huguenot — and  for  aught  we  know,  knelt  on 
the  shore  of  Delftshaven,  prayed  with,  and  bade  God  speed  to  the 
company  on  the  May-flower— or  who  had  shielded  the  Huguenots  of 
Rochelle  from  the  hot  pursuit  of  their  red  assassins.  It  was  on  a 
sabbath  in  July,  of  the  year  above  mentioned,  when  the  writer,  for 
the  first  time,  entered  this  church,  fully  aware  of  the  kind  of  people 
he  was  to  meet  there.  But  the  narrow  aisles  and  slips;  the  separa- 
tion of  the  sexes-,  the  raised  wall  seats  filled  with  old  men,  and  the 
members  of  the  corporation  in  their  allotted  seats;  the  young  men  in 
the  gallery;  the  clerk's  desk  under  the  pulpit,  and  the  old  Holland 
made  pulpit  itself,  with  its  hour-glass  and  iron  movable  frame  to 
support  it;  the  high  windows  with  their  bright  stained  glass  coats  of 
arms-,  the  stoves  stand  ng  on  platforms  raised  outside  of  the  gallery 
and  nearly  on  a  level  with  its  floor;  the  figures  in  large  German  text 
hanging  on  each  side-wall,  denoting  the  chapter  of  the  Bible  to  be 
read,  and  the  first  psalm  to  be  sung;  the  reading  of  that  chapter  a -id 
decalogue  by  the  clerk;  the  giving  out  of  that  psalm  by  the  clerk,  the 
singing,  the  salutation,  and  the  exordium  remotum  by  the  minister — 
all  so  new  and  all  combined,  had  less  effect  upon  the  writer  than  the 
people  themselves — every  drop  of  his  Pilgrim  and  Huguenot  blood, 
and  it  was  all  he  had,  warmed  to  those  whose  forefathers  had  been 
kind  to  his — and  he  felt  the  full  force  of  the  injunction, 

11  Thy  fathers'  friends  forget  thou  not." 
He  never  has,  and  he  never  will. 

Nearly  all  those  in  that  church  on  that  day,  of  full  age,  have  de- 
parted from  among  us.  The  fires  that  warmed  the  ashes  of  some  of 
them  are  hardly  yet  extinguished.  Let  no  unhallowed  heel  tread 
upon  them.  j.  Q.  w. 


196  Random  Recollections. 

kees  were  creeping  in.  Every  day  added  to  their  num- 
ber ;  and  the  unhallowed  hand  of  innovation  was  seen 
pointing  its  impertinent  finger  at  the  cherished  habits 
and  venerated  customs  of  the  ancient  burgers.  These 
meddling  eastern  Saxons  at  length  obtained  a  majority  in 
the  city  councils;  and  then  came  an  order,  with  a  hand- 
saw, to  "  cut  off  those  spouts."  Nothing  could  exceed 
the  consternation  -of  the  aforesaid  burgers,  upon  the 
announcement  of  this  order.  Had  it  been  a  decree 
abolishing  their  mother  tongue,  it  could  hardly 
have  excited  greater  astonishment,  or  greater  indignation. 
"  What  !"  said  they,  "  are  our  own  spouts  then  to  be 
measured  and  graduated  by  a  corporation  standard  !  Are 
they  to  be  cut  off  or  fore-shortened  without  our  knowledge 
or  consent  !"  But  the  Dutch  still  retained  the  obstinacy, 
if  not  the  valor  of  their  ancestors.  They  rallied  their 
forces,  and  at  the  next  election,  the  principal  author  of 
the  obnoxious  order  (my  old  friend,  Elkanah  Watson) 
was  elected  a  constable  of  the  ward  in  which  he  lived ! 
This  done,  they  went  to  sleep  again  ;  and  before  they 
awoke,  new  swarms  had  arrived,  and  a  complete  and 
thorough  revolution  had  taken  place,  The  Yankees  were 
in  possession  of  the  city  !  and  the  fate  of  the  Dutch  was 
sealed. 

The  old  families,  however,  still  claimed  the  lead  in  all 
matters  relating  to  good  society.  The  city  assemblies 
were  still  under  their  control,  as  well  in  regard  to  time 
and  place,  as  in  the  power  of  admission  and  exclusion. 
In  the  exercise  of  this  prerogative,  a  little  jealousy  of 
the  Yankees  was  occasionally  manifested.  The  diffi- 
culty was,  to  know  who  was  who  ;  to  distinguish  between 
those  that  were  entitled  to  admission,  and  those  that 
were  not.  Mere  respectability  was  not  of  itself  sufficient; 
nor  was  wealth  to  be  considered  as  a  certain  passport.  It 
was  necessary  that  there  should  be  something  of  rank,  of 
family,  or  of  fashion,  to  entitle  a  new  comer  to  a  seat 
among  the  notables.  These  matters,  however,  were,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  left  to  the  younger  branches  of  the 
ancient  aristocracy,  to  regulate  as  they  saw  fit. 


Random  Recollections.  197 

Now  it  happened,  that  into  this  ancient  and  somewhat 
exclusive  circle  of  good  society,  had  slid  many  families, 
with  their  twigs  and  branches,  who  had  in  reality  none 
of  the  rights  and  claims  of  the  genuine  Knickerbackers ; 
and  who  were,  as  far  as  antiquity  was  concerned,  mere 
squatters  ;  yet  they  were  found  to  be  greater  sticklers  for 
exclusion  and  probation,  than  the  veritable  mynheers 
themselves.  Still,  up  to  1803  or  4,  things  went  on  tole- 
rably well:  at  all  events,  there  was  no  complaint.  The 
assemblies  were  sufficiently  select  as  to  quality,  and 
perhaps  sufficiently  liberal  in  their  range  as  to  number. 
But,  somewhere  about  the  period  referred  to,  the 
self-constituted  managers  held  a  meeting,  at  which  it 
was  determined  that  the  city  assemblies  should  in  future 
be  "  more  select ;"  and  that  "a  line  of  distinction,"  as 
they  termed  it,  should  be  drawn.  Accordingly  a  new 
list  was  made  out,  by  which  it  was  soon  ascertained  that 
several,  heretofore  admitted,  had  been  left  off,  and  many 
others  excluded,  that  were  thought  to  be  better  entitled 
to  admission  than  many  that  were  retained.  The  mea- 
sure, therefore,  was  taken  in  high  dudgeon  by  the  friends 
of  the  excluded  parties,  and  was  considered  as  a  piece  of 
arrogance,  even  by  those  who  had  no  personal  cause  of 
complaint. 

A  paper  war  was  immediately  commenced,  and  the 
character  and  pretension  of  the  managers  were  ridiculed 
and  satirized  in  a  style  as  new  as  it  was  amusing.  A 
series  of  poetical  epistles,  odes,  satires,  &c.,  &c.,  appear- 
ed in  rapid  succession;  some  of  them  displaying  a  good 
deal  of  taste  and  cleverness.  One  piece  in  particular, 
entitled  The  Conspiracy  of  the  Nobles  written  in 
mock  heroic  verse,  contained  some  capital  hits.  It  gave 
a  highly  poetic  description  of  the  first  meeting  of  the 
managers,  and  an  amusing  sketch  of  their  persons,  pre- 
tensions, characters  and  debates.  The  most  ridiculous 
speeches  were  of  course  put  into  their  mouths,  and  they 
were  thus  made  to  exhibit  themselves  in  a  light  that  was 
as  laughable  as  it  was  absurd.  These  squibs  were  an- 
swered by  the  conspirators,  but  without  the  wit  or  the 


198  Random  Recollections. 

humor  that  characterized  the  pieces  of  their  opponents. 
The  fire,  however,  was  kept  up  on  both  sides  for  several 
weeks,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  town.  The  result 
was  a  mortifying  defeat  on  the  part  of  the  exclusionists. 
The  assemblies,  as  a  matter  of  course,  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  victorious  party,  and  to  their  credit,  be  it  said, 
were  conducted  with  more  taste  and  propriety,  and  were 
indeed  more  brilliantly  attended  than  they  had  ever  been 
before. 

This  was  considered  as  a  victory  of  wit  over  impudence, 
or  rather  of  sense  over  nonsense.  It  is  but  just,  how- 
ever, to  add,  that  the  real  old  Knickerbacker  families 
took  but  very  little  interest  in  the  contest,  and  were  pro- 
bably not  much  displeased  at  the  discomfiture  of  their 
quondam  allies. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  revolutions  of  a  graver  import. 

A  restless,  leveling,  innovating  spirit,  now  prevailed 
throughout  the  city.  The  detested  word  improvement 
was  in  every  mouth,  and  resistance  was  unavailing.  The 
stinted  pines  became  alarmed,  and  gradually  receded. 
The  hills  themselves  gave  way.  New  streets  opened  their 
extended  lines,  and  the  old  ones  grew  wider.  The  roost- 
ers on  the  gable  heads,  that  for  more  than  a  century 
had  braved  the  Indians  and  the  breeze ;  that  had  even 
flapped  their  wings  and  crowed  in  the  face  of  Burgoyne 
himself,  now  gave  it  up,  and  came  quietly  down.  The 
gables  in  despair  soon  followed,  and  more  imposing  fronts 
soon  reared  their  corniced  heads.  The  old  Dutch  church 
itself,  though  thought  to  be  immortal,  submitted  to  its 
fate,  and  fell!  not  at  the  foot  of  Pompey's  statue,  exact- 
ly, but  at  the  foot  of  State  street,  which,  freed  from  that 
obstruction,  thenceforward  became  the  Rialto  of  the  city, 
where  pedlers  of  stale  sea-cod,  and  country  hucksters, 
now  do  congregate. 

Even  the  dogs  now  began  to  bark  in  broken  English: 
many  of  them,  indeed  had  already  caught  the  Yankee 
twang,  so  rapid  was  the  progress  of  refinement.  In  the 
process  of  a  few  brief  years,  all  that  was  venerable  in  the 
eyes  of  the  ancient  burgers  disappeared.  Then  came  the 


'Random  Recollections. 

great  eclipse  of  1806,  which  clearly  announced  the  fall 
and  final  end  of  the  Dutch  dynasty.  It  is  hardly  neces- 
sary to  say,  that  not  an  iron  rooster  has  crowed  upon 
the  gable  heads,  nor  a  civil  cocked  hat  been  seen  in  the 
ancient  city  of  Albany,  from  that  day  to  this! 

But  let  it  be  remembered,  that  if  the  growth  of  Albany 
was  slow,  its  position  rendered  it  sure.  The  great  west, 
in  1800,  was  comparatively  a  wilderness.  With  the 
growth  of  this  vast  interior,  Albany  has  grown:  it  has 
increased  with  its  increase,  and  strengthened  with  its 
strength.  No  hand,  however  strong,  no  enterprise,  how- 
ever active,  could  have  carried  it  forward  one  hour  faster 
than  it  went.  Its  trade  was  necessarily  dependent  upon 
the  population  and  products  of  the  west,  and  with  these 
it  has  fairly  kept  pace. 

It  is,  however,  true  that  the  ancient  Dutch  families, 
though  among  the  most  wealthy  and  respectable,  were 
not  the  most  enterprising,  nor  the  most  active.  Many  of 
them  possessed  large  landed  estates,  lived  upon  their 
incomes,  and  left  to  others  the  toils  and  profits  of  trade. 
At  the  head  of  this  class,  and  distinguished  for  his  many 
excellent  and  amiable  qualities,  stood  the  late  patroon, 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer:  a  man  widely  and  honorably 
known ;  rich  without  pride,  and  liberal  without  ostenta- 
tion. I  may  also  mention  the  name  of  Jeremiah  Van 
Rensselaer,  a  whig  of  the  revolution,  and  for  several 
years  lieutenant-governor  of  the  state:  a  frank,  stout- 
hearted old  gentleman,  universally  respected. 

General  Ten  Broek,  also  of  the  revolutionary  school, 
distinguished  for  his  activity,  intelligence  and  public 
spirit. 

Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne,  the  then  best  living  type  ot 
the  ancient  race;  rich,  honest,  independent,  unlettered, 
and  unpretending. 

In  alluding  to  these  ancient  and  wealthy  families,  that 
of  the  Gansevoorts  should  not  be  omitted:  for  it  is  con- 
nected with  the  patriotism  and  the  triumphs  of  the  revo- 
lution. •'  The  hero  of  Fort  Stanwix"  has  left  to  his 
descendants  a  time-honored  name — a  name  that  belongs 


200  Random  Recollections. 

to  the  history  of  the  country,  and  to  one  of  its  most  in- 
teresting and  important  periods. 

But  those  of  a  more  active  and  business-like  character 
among  the  Dutch,  were  the  Bleeckers,  the  Lansings,  the 
Douws,  the  Van  Schaicks,  the  Ten  Eycks,  the  Ten 
Broecks,  the  Pruyns,  the  Hochstrassers,  the  Van  Loons, 
and  the  Staatses.  The  principal  merchants  of  the  city, 
however — those  who  gave  life  and  character  to  its 
business  interests — were  citizens  of  a  more  recent  date, 
coming  from  different  parts  of  the  Union,  but  mostly  from 
New  England.  Among  these,  were  James  Kane,*  Dudley 
Walsh,  William  James,  Isaiah  Townsend,  Gilbert  Stew- 
art, Thomas  Gould,  Thomas  Mather,  William,  John,  and 
Alexander  Marvin,  Peter  and  John  I.  Boyd,  John  Spencer 
&  Co.,  John  and  Spencer  Stafford,  Isaac  and  George 
Hutton,  the  Messrs.  Webbs  and  many  others. 

There  was  still  another  class,  not  less  active,  nor  less 
important,  in  a  business  point  of  view.  I  allude  to  a 

*  James  Kane  died  on  the  2d  April,  1851,  aged  80.  The  following 
tribute  to  his  memory  was  paid  by  Bishop  Alonzo  Potter. 

"  He  had  been  for  years  the  merchant  prince  of  the  city  in  which 
he  lived.  His  ventures  all  seemed  successful;  his  mansion  was  the 
home  of  a  delightful  hospitality;  his  grounds  the  delighted  resort  of 
all  ages  and  ranks.  There  was  no  public  charity,  no  plan  of  local  or 
general  improvement,  which  he  did  not  gladly  help  forward.  All  at 
once  he  was  arrested  by  one  of  those  sudden  and  wide-spread  revul- 
sions that  sweep  like  a  tornado  across  our  commercial  world.  The 
storm  left  him  a  complete  wreck;  everything  he  had  on  earth  was  sur- 
rendered to  his  creditors,  and  he  stood  forth  rich  in  character  and  self- 
approbation,  but  penniless  in  purse.  It  was  too  late  in  life,  as  he 
thought,  to  retrieve  his  fallen  fortunes.  He  loved  books:  he  had  neither 
wife  nor  child.  He  was  surrounded  by  the  friends  of  his  youth,  at 
whose  houses  he  was  always  a  welcome  guest. 

A  few  creditors  remitted  their  claims,  and  insisted  upon  his  apply- 
ing the  proceeds  to  his  personal  wants.  He  reluctantly  consented. 
For  more  than  twenty  years  he  lived  amidst  the  scenes  of  his  former 
prosperity  a  poor  but  contented  and  happy  man.  Books  were  friends 
that  rarely  parted  company  with  him.  They  turned  on  him  no  cold 
looks;  they  gave  him  no  half- welcome;  and  I  verily  believe  that  never, 
even  in  the  most  brilliant  days  of  a  career  that  made  him  the  observed 
of  all  observers,  did  he  enjoy  himself  so  well  as  while  his  whole  sti- 
pend was  two  hundred  dollars  a  year." 


Random  Recollections.  201 

then  comparatively  new,  or  recently  established  body  of 
mechanics,  of  which  Benjamin  Knower  was  confessedly 
at  the  head.  Mr.  Knower  was  indeed  a  man  of  strong 
mind  and  persevering  energy  of  character.  Through  his 
influence,  the  charter  of  the  Mechanics'  and  Farmers' 
Bank  was  obtained;  and  the  mechanics  of  the  city  of 
Albany  rose  in  consideration  and  respect,  personal  and 
political,  to  a  height  which  they  had  never  before  reached. 

Among  the  merchants  (I  speak  of  the  period  from  1800 
to  1808),  Mr.  Kane  was  perhaps  the  most  prominent. 
He  was,  indeed,  in  many  respects,  the  most  prominent 
man  in  the  city:  prominent  from  his  extensive  operations, 
and  business  connections;  prominent  from  his  wealths, 
his  liberality,  his  marked  attention  to  strangers,  his 
gentlemanly  style  of  dress,  and  bachelor  mode  of  living. 
He  was  distinguished,  too,  by  an  address  and  manner  so 
singularly  polite  and  courteous  as  seemingly  to  border 
upon  excess.  But  let  it  be  remembered,  to  his  honor, 
that  as  no  man  in  the  city  was  more  generally  known, 
so  there  was  no  one  more  generally  or  more  highly  re- 
spected. The  courtesy  or  politeness  of  Mr.  Kane  did  not, 
however,  consist  in  mere  words  or  modes  of  expression. 
It  had  its  foundation  in  good  feeling — I  may  say  in  hu- 
manity, which  speaks  to  the  heart,  and  is  understood 
where  words  are  not;  which,  rising  superior  to  forms 
and  fashions,  borrows  nothing  from  art,  nothing  from 
eloquence. 

I  shall  venture,  by  way  of  illustration,  to  give  an  in- 
stance of  this  sort  of  politeness.  There  appeared  at  the 
dinner  table  of  the  Tontine  Coffee  House,  where  Mr. 
Kane  then  boarded,  and  at  a  time  when  the  house  was 
crowded  to  excess,  an  old  gentleman  and  his  wife.  They 
were  very  plainly  dressed,  but  still  respectable  in  their 
appearance.  They  were,  evidently,  country  people, 
"  from  down  east;"  and  were  probably  bound  on  a  visit 
to  their  relations  in  the  west.  The  servants,  always  too 
few  in  number,  were  now  altogether  insufficient  to  attend 
to  the  wants  of  the  company  at  table.  The  old  people, 
[ Annals,  x.]  18 


202  Random  Recollections. 

therefore,  being  strangers,  and  unknown  to  any  one, 
were  totally  neglected.  It  was  shameful!  I  made  one  or 
two  efforts  to  get  a  servant  to  attend  to  them,  but  all  in 
vain :  there  were  too  many  louder  and  more  authorita- 
tive calls.  At  length,  however,  they  were  noticed  by 
Mr.  Kane,  who  looked  round  for  his  own  servant,  but 
finding  him  engaged,  immediately  left  his  seat  and  walked 
down  to  the  lower  end  of  the  table  where  the  old  couple 
sat,  and  politely  asked  them  what  they  would  be  helped 
to;  took  their  plates  to  a  side  table,  carved  for  them 
himself,  helped  them  to  vegetables,  bread,  &c.,  and  then 
returned  quietly  to  his  seat.  He  was  doubtless  taken  by 
the  old  people,  and  perhaps  by  other  strangers,  for  the 
master  of  the  house,  or  the  head  waiter!  There  was 
certainly  no  gentleman  present  who  dared  to  run  the  risk 
of  being  so  mistaken.  But  Mr.  Kane  could  aiford  it.  The 
politeness,  or,  more  properly  speaking,  the  humanity  of 
the  act,  did  him  honor,  and  far  outweighed  the  moment- 
ary, or  rather  the  imaginary  loss  of  dignity. 

As  a  people,  we  can  not  be  sufficiently  grateful  to  Provi- 
dence for  the  character  of  our  ancestors.  From  the  Pu- 
ritans of  England,  the  Huguenots  of  France,  and  the 
Protestants  of  the  Netherlands,  did  this  country  derive 
the  seeds  and  elements  of  its  greatness:  its  purity  of 
faith,  its  principles,  and  its  power.  To  them,  under 
Providence,  are  we  indebted  for  our  civil  and  religious 
liberties,  the  character  of  our  institutions,  and  the  hardy, 
resolute  and  enterprising  spirit  of  the  nation.  Talents 
and  virtues  are  alike  hereditary,  though  the  stream  is  not 
always  unbroken  by  shallows,  nor  the  measure  of  its 
greatness  always  full.  There  must,  I  think,  have  been 
a  strong  fund  of  good  sense  and  native  talent  in  the  early 
Dutch  settlers.  We  have  seen  it  break  out  occasionally, 
even  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  generations;  and  sometimes, 
too,  quite  unexpectedly,  as  in  the  case  of  Ex-President 
Van  Buren,  whose  immediate  antecedents  gave  no  pro- 
mise of  such  an  eruption,  or  even  foreshadowed  the  pro- 
bability of  such  an  event.  Still,  in  all  such  cases,  there 


Random  Recollection*.  203 

must  have  been  a  living  spring  (no  matter  how  remote) 
from  whence  the  waters  flowed. 

Among  the  Dutch  families  of  Albany,  in  which  a 
strong  vein  of  original  talent,  occasionally  manifested  it- 
self, were  those  of  the  Schuylers,  the  Van  Vechtens,  the 
Lansings,  and  the  Yateses.  General  Schuyler,  of  the 
Revolution,  was  a  man  of  great  vigor  of  mind,  strong 
sense,  and  sound  judgment;  which  was  happily  associat- 
ed with  liberal  feelings,  and  principles  of  honor  and  pa- 
triotism. He  should  by  right  have  commanded  that 
army  in  the  revolutionary  war,  which,  in  the  day  of 
battle,  he  joined  as  a  volunteer — a  man  greatly  his  infe- 
rior having  been  placed  over  his  head.  But  no  neglect 
or  injury  could  alienate  his  feelings,  or  weaken  his  at- 
tachment to  the  cause  of  his  country. 

The  talents  and  character  of  Abraham  Van  Vechten, 
are  still  fresh  in  the  memory  of  the  living.  He  was  one 
of  the  ablest  members  of  the  Albany  bar,  when  that  bar 
was  studded  with  eminent  names. 

Chancellor  Lansing,  though  not  possessed  of  shining 
talents,  was  nevertheless  a  man  of  good  abilities  and  of 
strict  integrity.  His  brother,  Abraham  G.,  was  a  man 
of  sound  sense  and  vigorous  tone  of  mind;  rough,  and 
somewhat  abrupt  in  his  manner,  but  upright,  frank  and 
fearless,  in  conduct  and  in  character. 

Old  Judge  Yates,  one  of  the  members  of  the  convention 
that  framed  the  Constitution,  was  a  clear-headed,  strong- 
minded  man  ;  straight  forward,  honest  and  patriotic. 
His  son,  John  Van  Ness  Yates,  was  a  man  of  talents, 
both  natural  and  acquired.  He  was  equal  to  the  duties 
of  any  station,  and  to  the  difficulties  of  any  task.  He 
was  a  wit,  a  poet,  a  belles-lettres  scholar,  and  a  boon 
companion,  whose  joke  was  ever  ready,  and  whose  laugh 
was  contagious.  He  wanted  nothing  but  industry  and 
self-respect,  to  have  made  him  eminent  as  a  lawyer.  His 
associations  were  beneath  him,  not  only  in  point  of  ta- 
lent, but  in  character;  yet  they  affected  his  interests 
rather  than  his  principles.  He  possessed  the  readiest 
apprehension,  and  the  most  retentive  memory,  of  any 


204  Random  Recollections. 

man  I  ever  knew.  All  that  he  had  ever  read,  and  he 
read  a  vast  deal,  was  at  his  fingers  ends.  He  was  often 
consulted  by  the  younger  members  of  the  bar,  while 
walking  in  the  streets;  and,  without  a  moment's  hesita- 
tion, would  take  out  his  pencil  and  writedown  what  was 
the  law  in  the  case,  and  where  it  was  to  be  found — vol- 
ume, chapter  and  verse  !  From  these  frequent  street  con- 
sultations, he  was  called  "  the  walking  library." 

But  the  cleverest  man  of  the  name  or  family,  was  JOHN 
W.  YATES.  He  was  a  man  of  education,  of  talents,  of 
natural  eloquence,  and  of  extensive  reading.  He  was 
the  best  classical  scholar  in  the  city — Judge  Kent  not  ex- 
cepted.  He  was  familiar  with  the  Greek,  Latin  and 
French  languages  and  literature;  a  mathematician,  and  a 
passionate  lover  of  belles-lettres.  He  was  bred  to  the 
law,  but  never  attempted  to  practice;  yet,  I  repeat,  he 
was  naturally  eloquent,  and,  in  his  buoyant  moments, 
one  of  the  most  lively  and  agreeable  men  in  conversation 
that  I  ever  met  with. 

Such  a  man,  it  is  natural  to  suppose,  made  a  figure  in 
his  day:  no  such  thing;  he  made  no  figure  at  all.  He 
was  not  appreciated  by  the  public,  because  the  public 
knew  nothing  of  him.  He  was  not  known  even  to  his 
friends,  for  the  very  good  and  sufficient  reason  that  his 
friends  knew  nothing  of  Greek  or  Latin,  of  mathematics 
or  of  poetry.  It  was  curious  to  find  him  reading  Homer 
with  a  pipe  in  his  mouth;  and  to  see  him  turn  from  the 
page  of  Thucydides,  to  talk  Dutch.  Yet  this  alternation 
between  the  languages  of  Athens  and  Amsterdam,  was  in 
some  measure  unavoidable;  for  many  of  his  old  friends, 
and  indeed  most  of  the  old  families,  continued  to  speak, 
in  their  domestic  circles,  the  language  of  their  ancestors 
long  after  the  period  to  which  these  sketches  refer. 

Though  no  man  set  a  higher  value  upon  literary  ac- 
quirements than  himself,  yet  he  took  no  pains  to  exhibit, 
much  less  to  profit  by  those  he  possessed.  Political  distinc- 
tion he  never  sought,  and  never  desired.  He  had  no 
taste  for  popular  parade,  no  love  for  public  display.  He 
was,  in  fact,  better  acquainted  with  Pericles  and  Xeno- 


Random  Recollections.  205 

phon  than  he  was  with  the  aldermen  of  the  ward  in 
which  he  lived.  His  knowledge  of  ancient  history  was 
more  perfect  than  that  of  any  other  man  I  ever  knew, 
nor  was  that  of  modern  Europe  less  familiar.  History, 
poetry  and  philosophy  ;  Egypt  and  Asia,  Athens  and 
Rome,  with  all  their  classic  superstitions  and  diviner 
arts,  were  the  subjects  of  many  an  evening  conversation, 
to  which  I  listen  with  deJight. 

To  this  faint  sketch  of  his  literary  character,  I  may 
add,  that  no  man  possessed  a  higher  sense  of  honor,  or 
was  governed  in  his  conduct  by  purer  principles.  His 
talents  and  his  tastes  were,  indeed,  altogether  above  the 
position  in  which  he  was  placed;  and  hence,  instead  of 
giving  him  celebrity,  they  served  but  to  render  him,  in 
some  measure,  unsuited  to  the  station  he  held.  But 
never  will  that  station,  or  that  official  rank,  be  again 
honored  with  so  much  learning,  combined  with  so  much 
talent. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  this  is  a  mere  fancy  sketch, 
"  writ  for  the  sake  of  writing  it."  It  is  a  tribute  justly 
due  to  the  memory  of  a  man  whose  merits  were  unappre- 
ciated, and  comparatively  unknown.  It  is  a  tribute 
which  I  owe  to  the  recollection  of  his  partiality  and 
kindness;  to  the  memory  of  many  a  friendly  lecture — 
many  a  social — many  a  pleasant  hour. 

Of  the  public  men  of  Albany,  office  holders,  politicians 
and  jurists,  it  may  be  expected  that  I  should  say  some- 
thing. Among  the  most  prominent  were  Geo.  Clinton, 
John  Tayler,  Ambrose  Spencer,  James  Kent,  Chancellor 
Lansing,  Abraham  Van  Vechten,  John  V.  Henry,  John 
Woodworth,  Thos.  Tillotson,  Abraham  G.  Lansing, 
Elisha  Jenkins,  Edmond  Charles  Genet,  and  last,  though 
not  least,  the  editor  of  the  Albany  Register,  SOLOMON 
SOUTHWICK  !  These  are  names  too  well  known  to  require 
any  comment.  Many  of  them  are  identified  with  the 
history  of  the  state,  and  will  be  chronicled  in  its  pages. 

I  can  not,  in  courtesy,  however,  pass  over  my  old 
friend  Southwick,  without  some  other  notice  than  that  of 
a  mere  casual  glance  of  recognition.  Southwick  was  a 


206  Random  Recollections. 

man  of  genius,  with  all  the  peculiarities  that  belong  to 
that  temperament — its  strength  and  its  weakness,  its  ex- 
cellencies and  its  errors;  its  delusive  dreams  and  visions, 
its  improvidence  and  its  instability.  He  had  great  ferti- 
lity of  mind,  united  with  great  enthusiasm.  This  was 
the  source  of  his  eloquence  and  his  power.  His  writings 
were  rather  outpourings  than  compositions.  Yet  he  im- 
bued them  with  so  much  life  and  animation,  that  he  sel- 
dom failed  to  carry  his  readers  with  them.  His  style, 
though  well  adapted  to  the  popular  ear,  was  redundant 
in  epithet,  inflated  and  declamatory,  and  his  language, 
though  often  strong  and  impressive,  was  yet  in  the  main, 
loose  and  inelegant.  He  read  but  little,  and  only  from 
necessity.  He  referred  to  books  for  particular  facts, 
rather  than  for  general  information. 

He  was,  by  nature,  honest,  warm-hearted,  and  gene- 
rous to  a  fault,  but  seemed  to  have  no  fixed  or  settled 
principles.  In  ethics,  as  well  as  in  politics,  he  traveled 
from  pole  to  pole.  Yet,  the  kindness  of  his  nature  went 
with  him  and  never  forsook  him.  His  heart  and  his 
hand  were  always  open;  and  as  he  was  credulous  to 
excess,  and  even  superstitious,  he  was  as  a  matter  of 
course,  swindled  by  every  knave,  and  duped  by  every 
impostor,  he  met  with  upon  the  road. 

He  was  extremely  fluent  and  event  eloquent  in  conver- 
sation. But  he  had  little  knowledge  of  the  world,  and 
the  predominance  of  interest  or  of  passion,  left  his  judg- 
ment too  often  at  fault.  He  had  the  finest  eye  and  fore- 
head that  ever  belonged  to  mortal  man,  but  every  other 
feature  of  his  face  was  either  indifferent  or  defective. 
His  countenance,  therefore,  was  a  correct  index  to  the 
character  of  his  mind — incongruous,  mixed,  and  full  of 
contradictions. 

The  Albany  Register,  which  he  so  long  and  ably  edited, 
was  pronounced,  by  Judge  Spencer,  to  be  the  "  Political 
Bible  of  the  Western  District."  A  greater  compliment 
was  certainly  never  paid  to  the  conductor  of  a  political 
journal. 

Mr.  Southwick  held,  at  different  periods,  the  office  of 


Random  Recollections.  207 

state  printer,  clerk  of  the  house  of  assembly,  sheriff  of 
the  county  of  Albany,  president  of  the  Mechanics'  and 
Farmers'  Bank,  and  postmaster  of  the  city.  Even  in  the 
cloudy  days  of  his  latter  years,  when  friends,  fame  and 
fortune,  had  forsaken  him,  when  every  objectionable  act 
of  his  life  was  spread  upon  the  record,  and  all  his  faults 
and  weakeness  blazoned  to  the  public  eye;  even  then 
he  received  over  thirty  thousand  votes  for  governor  of  the 
state. 

Of  the  clergy  of  those  days,  if  I  am  wise,  I  shall  say 
but  little:  first,  because  I  recollect  but  little;  and  se- 
condly, because,  with  me,  the  subject  is  not  a  debatable 
one.  One's  opinions,  unless  moulded  early,  are  often 
formed  by  accident,  or  spring  up  as  the  result  of  circum- 
stances. It  has  often  occurred  to  me  as  not  a  little  sin- 
gular, that  my  attention  should  have  been  turned  to  the 
unkindred  subjects  of  politics  and  religion,  at  about  the 
same  period  of  time.  The  noise  and  triumph  of  Mr. 
Jefferson's  election  to  the  presidency,  led  me  to  look  a 
little  into  the  mysterious  philosophy  of  party  politics; 
and  the  preaching  of  Dr.  Nott,  carried  me,  nolens  volens, 
into  the  Presbyterian  brick  church  of  South  Pearl  street. 
Thus  I  acquired,  at  nearly  one  and  the  same  time,  a  de- 
cided inclination  to  church  and  state',  or,  in  other  words, 
a  marked  taste  for  politics  and  preaching.  No  one,  cer- 
tainly, could  have  studied  under  abler  masters:  and  for 
many  of  the  opinions  I  entertain  to  this  day,  I  hold  those 
masters  responsible. 

But  the  only  names  belonging  to  the  church,  of  which 
my  memory  took  cognizance,  at  the  period  referred  to, 
or  of  which  I  have  any  distinct  recollection,  are  those  of 
Nott,  Romaine  and  Bradford. 

Mr.  Bradford  was  a  well  educated,  well  read,  and 
gentlemanly  man.  He  was,  moreover,  one  of  the  hand- 
somest men  in  the  city,  which  in  the  minds  or  fancies  of 
the  fairer  part  of  his  congregation,  added  no  doubt  to  his 
eloquence,  and  of  course  to  his  usefulness  in  the  church. 
Mr.  Romaine  was  an  able  man,  of  a  denunciatory  and  vehe- 
ment style  of  oratory — altogether  too  Calvinistic  to  suit 


208  Random  Recollections. 

the  taste  of  his  hearers.     But  it  must  be  remembered 

"  That  no  rogue  e'er  felt  the  halter  draw 
With  good  opinion  of  the  law." 

Doctor  Nott,  I  should  say,  was  neither  a  Calvinist  nor 
a  Lutheran.  In  other  words,  he  was  no  bigoted  secta- 
rian; and  in  this  respect,  he  bore,  and  still  bears,  I 
think,  but  little  resemblance  to  many  of  his  clerical 
brethren.  In  mind,  as  well  as  in  manner ',  he  stood  alone. 

The  narrow  dogmas,  and  common  place  oratory  of  the 
church,  were  beneath  him.  His  ambition  was  to  make 
men  wiser  and  better,  rather  than  to  promote  the  secta- 
rian interests  and  speculative  tenets  of  the  church.  The 
eloquent  enforcement  of  that  single  injunction  '!to  do 
unto  others  as  you  would  have  others  do  unto  you," 
would  to  an  unsophisticated  mind  be  of  more  efficacy 
than  a  dozen  dry  discourses  upon  evidence,  which  no  no- 
vice requires,  or  upon  those  knotty  points  in  theology, 
which  no  intellect  can  comprehend.  But  it  is  not  my 
business  to  preach,  nor  am  I  disposed  to  criticise  the 
preaching  of  others.  All  I  mean  to  say  is,  that  Doctor 
Nott  was  by  far  the  most  eloquent  and  effective  preacher 
of  the  period  to  which  I  refer;  that  he  drew  together  the 
largest  congregation — made  the  deepest  impression,  and 
commanded  the  profoundest  respect. 

His  church  was  filled  to  overflowing.    His  appearance 
in  the  pulpit,  his  style  of  eloquence,  his  very  look, 
"  Drew  audience  and  attention  still  as  night, 
Or  summer's  noontide  air " 

His  elocution  was  admirable,  and  his  manner  altogether 
better,  because  more  impressive,  than  that  of  any  other 
preacher  of  the  day:  yet  he  could  not,  I  think,  have  been 
over  twenty-eight  or  thirty  years  of  age  when  I  first 
heard  him,  which  was  in  1803.  Shortly  afterwards,  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  becoming  personally  acquainted  with 
him,  and  soon  found  he  possessed  powers  and  qualities  of 
which  his  congregation  little  dreamed.  His  talents  were 
by  no  means  confined  to  pulpit  eloquence,  nor  even  to 
the  wider  range  of  clerical  duties.  His  information  ex- 
tended to  almost  every  department  of  life ;  and  with  the 


Random  Recollections.  209 

whole  fabric  of  human  society,  he  was  perfectly  familiar. 
He  understood  the  animal  man,  not  only  in  the  abstract, 
but  in  all  the  detail  of  action,  passion  and  propensity. 
He  was,  moreover,  a  mechanist,  a  political  economist,  a 
philosopher,  and  what  is  of  more  consequence  in  any 
walk  of  life,  a  man  of  keen  observation  and  sound  sense. 
But  he  is  still  living,  and  too  widely  known,  to  require 
any  portraiture  from  my  pen. 


BATTLE  IN  STATE  STREET. 

Among  other  incidents  and  events,  falling  within  the 
range  of  these  reminiscences,  was  the  famous  passage  of 
arms,  that  took  place  between  an  eminent  citizen  and  a 
distinguished  general,  in  one  of  the  principal  streets  of 
the  city  in  open  day.  It  was  a  perilous,  hand  to  hand 
encounter,  that  brought  together,  at  least,  one  half  of  the 
male  population  of  the  town — not  as  spectators  merely, 
but  as  combatants,  who,  like  the  knights  of  old,  entered 
the  lists  with  an  alacrity  and  a  spirit,  that  would  have 
done  honor  to  the  heroes  of  chivalry,  when  chivalry  was 
in  its  prime,  and  knighthood  in  its  glory.  The  full 
breadth  of  State  street,  from  Pearl  down  to  the  intersec- 
tion of  Court  and  Market,  was  literally  filled  with  the 
combatants;  while  the  doors,  porches,  windows,  and 
even  the  house  tops  on  both  sides,  were  crowded  with 
astonished  and  terrified  spectators.  The  street,  viewed 
from  any  elevated  position,  resembled  a  tumultuous  sea 
of  heads,  over  which  clattered  a  forest  of  canes;  the  vast 
body  now  surging  this  way,  now  that,  as  the  tide  of  com- 
bat ebbed  or  flowed.  It  was  certainly,  one  of  the  most 
classic  or  Greek-like  battles  that  had  been  fought  since 
the  wars  of  Ilium,  and  the  heroic  days  of  Hector  and 
Achilles.  But  as  it  respects  the  origin  of  the  war,  the 
names  of  the  combatants,  and  the  details  of  the  fight,  are 
they  not  written  in  the  book  of  the  kings  of  Judah  and 
Israel  !  If  not,  they  may  perhaps,  be  found  in  the  chro- 
nicles of  the  lives  of  the  illustrious  fathers  of  the  city. 


210  Random  Recollections. 

Certain  it  is  that  the  battle  has  already  been  described; 
and  the  record,  like  the  Iliad,  will  be  found  imperishable! 

It  is  a  little  curious,  when  we  consider  what  Albany 
now  is,  to  look  back  and  recollect,  that  so  late  as  1803, 
there  was  but  one  public  house  in  the  city;  or  at  least, 
but  one  in  any  respect  better  than  a  common  signpost 
tavern,  such  as  no  gentleman  of  the  present  day  would 
put  his  foot  in:  but  that  one  was  an  excellent  one.  I 
allude  to  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  in  State  street,  kept 
by  Mr.  Gregory:  a  house  distinguished  from  all  other 
public  houses  of  that  day,  by  the  quiet  order  that  reigned 
through  all  its  departments ;  by  its  perfect  neatness,  and 
the  total  absence  of  a  bar.  The  higher  rates  of  fare 
charged  at  the  Tontine,  and  the  fact  that  no  liquors  were 
sold  except  to  its  own  boarders,  nor  ever  seen  except  at 
table,  excluded  the  low  and  thirsty,  and  left  it,  as  it  were 
by  a  law  of  its  nature,  open  to  good  company  alone.  I 
need  not  say  that  it  was  well  filled:  it  was,  at  least  half 
the  year,  redundantly  full.  All  travelers  of  any  note  or 
consequence;  all  foreigners  of  distinction;  in  one  word, 
all  gentlemen  put  up  at  the  Tontine.  For  a  period  of 
some  ten  or  twelve  years,  Mr.  Gregory  had  no  competi- 
tion, no  rival  house  to  contend  with;  and  was  therefore 
compelled,  I  do  not  say  reluctantly,  to  make  a  fortune! 

Manners,  'tis  said,  change  with  customs;  and  customs, 
we  all  know,  change  sometimes  for  the  worse.  I  have 
seen  something  of  public  houses  and  hotels  since  Mr. 
Gregory's  day,  and  am  forced  to  acknowledge,  that  on 
the  score  of  gentlemanly  habits,  politeness,  and  courtesy 
among  their  guests,  and  in  reference  also  to  the  civility 
of  their  keepers  and  waiters,  the  present  bears  no  com- 
parison with  the  past.  The  inmates  of  the  best  hotels  of 
the  present  day,  are  as  varied  in  their  aspects,  habits 
and  character,  as  were  the  motley  herd  that  took  lodg- 
ings in  the  ark ;  while  of  their  keepers  and  waiters  the 
best  that  can  be  said,  is,  that  they  are  in  keeping  with 
the  character  of  their  company.  An  occasional  excep- 
tion does  but  strengthen  the  rule. 

It  was  at  the  Tontine  that  I  became  acquainted  with 


Random  Recollections.  211 

many  of  the  leading  politicians  and  distinguished  men  of 
the  state.  It  was  there  I  first  saw  De  Witt  Clinton, 
Alexander  Hamilton,  Aaron  Burr,  Doctor  Mason.  Morgan 
Lewis,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  John  Armstrong,  Chancel- 
lor Livingston,  and  many  others.  It  was  while  there,  I 
had  the  opportunity  and  the  pleasure  of  examining  lei- 
surely, and  with  a  critical  eye,  that  lightest  twig  oi'  the 
great  Corsican  tree,  Mr.  Jerome  Bonaparte;  and  of  ob- 
serving the  fine  form,  the  careless,  abandoned  air,  and 
soldierly  aspect  of  the  celebrated  Moreau,  the  rival  at  once 
of  Xenophon  and  Napoleon.  The  Tontine  was,  indeed, 
for  several  years,  my  local  observatory,  from  which  I 
watched  the  transit  of  the  political  planets,  and  noted 
the  restless  movements  of  the  wandering  stars.  It  was,  in 
fact,  the  best  school  house  I  ever  entered,  and  the  only 
one,  I  am  sorry  to  say, 'in  which  I  ever  took  much  de- 
light. 

I  can  not  resist  the  temptation  (though  I  know  I  shall 
make  nothing  of  it)  to  relate  a  ludicrous  circumstance 
which  took  place  at  the  Tontine,  in  the  summer  of  1804. 
I  am  well  aware  that  many  a  good  joke  has  been  spoiled, 
and  many  a  laughable  incident  rendered  grave,  by  an 
attempt  to  put  them  on  paper.  'Tis  useless,  said  Doctor 
Johnson,  to  print  Quin's  jokes,  unless  you  print  his  face 
with  them.  Nevertheless,  I  shall  venture  to  relate  the 
circumstance  to  which  I  have  referred.  I  shall  call  it. 

THE  STORY  OF  MONSIEUR  GARROT. 

Among  the  many  foreigners  at  the  Tontine  in  the 
traveling  season  of  1804,  was  a  French  gentleman  by  the 
name  of  Garrot,  apparently  about  twenty-five  or  thirty 
years  of  age;  remarkable  for  the  simplicity  of  his  man- 
ners, for  his  taste  in  music,  and  for  his  inability  to  speak 
a  word  of  English.  His  personal  appearance  was  greatly 
in  his  favor;  being  stout,  well  made,  and  of  a  most 
agreeable  countenance.  Sitting  near  him  at  table,  and 
speaking  a  little  French,  I  soon  became  acquainted  with 
him.  He  was,  I  found,  a  German  by  birth,  born  in 


212  Random  Recollections. 

Frankfort,  but  a  resident  of  Nantes.  He  remained  seve- 
ral months  in  the  city,  was  flush  of  money,  arid  liberal, 
not  to  say  profuse,  in  his  expenditures. 

His  object,  if  indeed  he  had  any,  was  to  obtain  infor- 
mation as  to  the  form  and  character  of  our  government ; 
the  institutions  and  condition  of  the  country;  its  extent, 
population,  trade,  commerce,  agricultural  products,  arts, 
manufactures,  &c.,  &c.  Of  all  the  travelers  I  had  ever 
met  with,  he  was  the  most  inquisitive.  He  asked  ten 
thousand  questions  about  things  of  which  I  knew  nothing, 
or  next  to  nothing — questions,  some  of  which,  it  would 
have  puzzled  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  Mr.  Madison,  Mr. 
Clay,  or  Mr.  Anybody  Else,  save  John  Quincy  Adams, 
to  have  answered  off-hand.  But  as  I  perceived  he  enter- 
tained a  high  opinion  of  my  abilities,  I  had  not  the  heart, 
nor  was  it  indeed  my  business,  to  undeceive  him.  I  was 
ashamed  to  confess  ignorance  upon  any  point,  and  there- 
fore gave  him  prompt  and  specific  answers  to  each  and 
every  question,  let  it  relate  to  what  it  might:  but  the 
mischief  of  it  was,  they  were  all  taken  for  gospel,  and 
immediately  noted  down  in  his  tablets. 

I  could  not  but  laugh  at  the  idea.  It  was,  perhaps, 
unfair  on  my  part,  but  the  fault  was  his.  To  suppose  a 
young  man  of  twenty-two  or  three,  of  sufficient  authority 
for  the  history  and  statistics  of  an  empire,  was  absurd. 
He  should  have  known  better.  Many  a  book,  however, 
has  been  written  upon  information  of  an  inferior  quality 
to  that  with  which  I  furnished  Monsieur  Garrot,  and 
from  a  less  rational,  not  to  say  reliable  source.  It  was 
through  the  priests  and  poets  of  Egypt  and  Assyria, 
that  Herodotus  obtained  the  materials  for  his  famous 
history;  and  who  thinks  the  less  of  his  history  on  that 
account?  The  credulity  and  child-like  simplicity  of  the 
author,  together  with  the  traditional  and  poetical  charac- 
ter of  its  testimony  constitute,  in  fact,  its  greatest  attrac- 
tions. 

But  Monsieur  Garrot,  no  doubt,  congratulated  himself 
upon  his  good  fortune  in  finding  a  person  so  full  of  infor- 
mation, and  so  ready  to  impart  it.  On  the  other  side,  I 


Random  Recollections.  213 

did  the  best  I  could,  under  the  circumstances.  I  studied 
day  and  night  to  prepare  myself  for  Mr.  Garrot's  ques- 
tions; and  if  monsieur  published  his  book,  I  flattered 
myself  that  it  would  be  found  in  the  truth  of  its  state- 
ments and  the  accuracy  of  its  details,  at  least  equal  to 
the  history  of  Herodotus,  or  the  travels  of  Basil  Hall! 

But  this  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  circumstance 
which  it  was  my  intention  to  narrate.  It  may  serve, 
however,  as  a  preface  to  the  story,  which  runs  thus : 

Monsieur  Garrot  and  myself  after  a  long  walk  one 
Sunday  afternoon,  returned  to  the  Tontine  about  six 
o'clock.  The  weather  was  extremely  hot;  and  as  the 
private  parlors  below  were  filled  with  strangers,  I  ac- 
companied Mr.  Garrot  to  his  own  chamber,  where,  com- 
plaining of  the  heat,  he  threw  off  his  coat,  and,  some- 
what to  my  surprise,  continued  the  operation  of  stripping, 
until  he  came  to  the  last  article,  over  which,  however, 
he  threw  a  light  silk  morning  gown — light,  indeed,  as 
gossamer  :  this  he  tied  loosely  at  the  neck,  and  then 
sticking  his  toes  into  a  pair  of  yellow  slippers,  began 
walking  backward  and  forward  between  the  window  and 
door,  both  of  which  were  thrown  open  to  admit  the  air. 
The  window  looked  into  the  street ;  the  door  opened  into 
a  wide  hall,  with  dormitories  on  either  side.  While 
thus  cooling  himself  in  the  breeze,  which  swept  his  loose 
drapery  from  side  to  side,  he  suddenly  turned  to  me  and 
inquired  whether  I  was  fond  of  music.  I  answered,  of 
course,  in  the  affirmative.  When,  without  further  cere- 
mony, he  opened  a  long  case  filled  with  musical  instru- 
ments of  various  kinds,  and  asked  me  which  I  preferred. 
I  could  hardly  believe  it  possible  that  he  really  meant  to 
exercise  his  musical  talents  on  that  day  of  the  week;  but 
being  a  little  curious,  and,  I  must  confess,  a  little  mis- 
chievous at  the  same  time,  I  pointed  to  the  violin,  which 
he  immediately  took  out,  and  began  to  twang  and  tune. 
The  discharge  of  a  12  pounder  in  the  hall,  would  not 
have  set  the  house  in  greater  commotion.  The  first 
scrape  of  the  bow  brought  half  a  dozen  chambermaids  to 
[Annals,  x.]  19 


214  Random  Recollections. 

the  door;  who,  catching  sight  of  monsieur's  bare  legs, 
&c.,  ran  down  stairs,  and  reported  that  there  was  a 
Frenchman  fiddling  in  the  chambers,  stark  naked  !  By  this 
time,  my  friend  Garrot  had  got  fairly  a  going;  and,  with 
his  head  inclined  to  one  shoulder,  and  his  eye  turned 
upwards,  stalked  up  and  down  the  room,  fiddling  as  if  the 
devil,  together  with  Apollo  and  the  whole  nine  were  in 
him.  The  figure  he  cut  was  so  ridiculous,  that  I  thought 
I  should  have  died  in  the  effort  to  suppress  my  laughter. 

In  less  than  five  minutes  from  the  time  he  began,  it  ap- 
peared to  me  that  not  Jess  than  five  hundred  heads  had 
passed  the  door,  each  one  catching  something  more  than 
a  glimpse  of  monsieur's  fine  form.  The  wind  seemed  to 
increase  with  the  music,  and  the  stride  of  the  performer 
became  more  lofty  and  majestic.  At  every  turn  the 
morning  gown  filled  and  swelled  with  the  breeze — now 
waving  and  flapping  in  the  cross  current,  and  now  ex- 
tending out,  as  it  were,  upon  a  taught  bowline.  The 
hall  was  literally  crowded  with  spectators,  and  the  seve- 
ral questions  Who  is  lie?  Where  did  he  come  from?  Is 
he  mad?  were  whispered  in  rapid  succession.  But  Mon- 
sieur Garrot  saw  nothing  but  the  ceiling  of  his  room — 
heard  nothing  but  the  clarion  voice  of  his  own  fiddle. 

I  was  amazed  at  his  abstraction — at  his  enthusiasm; 
and  yet  found  it  difficult  to  prevent  myself  from  laughing 
aloud.  He  fiddled  with  such  force  and  energy,  that  his 
elbow  seemed  to  move  like  a  whipsaw  driven  by  steam. 
I  had  no  idea  that  'twas  in  the  power  of  a  single  instru- 
ment to  produce  such  a  tumult  of  sounds. 

The  Battle  of  Prague,  roared  from  ten  "  forty  piaz- 
zas" (as  Johnny  Robison  used  to  called  them)  would  be 
a  mere  tinkling,  compared  with  this  uproar  of  Mr.  Gar- 
rot's  fiddle.  I  could  not  but  confess,  that  in  variety, 
force  and  compass,  he  surpassed  even  my  old  friend  Mr. 
Giles.  This  is  no  light  compliment.  A  greater,  indeed, 
could  not  in  sincerity  be  paid  to  the  most  celebrated  per- 
former. 

But  Mr.  Gregory,  at  length,  made  his  appearance,  and 
as  he  worked  his  way  through  the  crowd  at  the  door,  I 


Random  Recollections.  215 

could  perceive  that  he  was  not  only  angry,  but  a  little 
frightened.  He  was  about  to  speak  to  Mr.  Garrot,  but 
Mr.  Garrot  was  too  much  engaged  to  take  the  least  no- 
tice of  him  ;  he  therefore  addressed  himself  to  me,  and 
said — "  For  God's  sake,  Mr.  Jones,  what  is  the  meaning 
of  all  this?"  I  was  so  full  of  laughter  that  I  could  not 
speak,  and  of  course  said  nothing.  He  then  turned  to 
Mr.  Garrot,  and  raised  his  hand  as  a  sign  for  him  to 
stop.  Now,  Mr.  Gregory  had  no  more  the  appearance  of 
an  innkeeper  than  he  had  of  an  emperor.  It  was  natural, 
therefore,  that  the  Frenchman  should  consider  him  as  an 
intruder,  and  order  him  out  of  the  room ;  which  he  did. 
But  'twas  in  French,  which  he  perceived  Mr.  Gregory 
did  not  understand.  He  therefore  collected  all  the 
English  he  was  master  of,  and  exclaimed,  in  an  offended 
tone,  "  Vat  you  vont?"  Mr.  Gregory  was  about  to  reply, 
when  monsieur,  waving  his  hand,  cried  "  Go  vay  !  go 
vay  !"  and  thereupon  commenced  fiddling  fiercer  than 
ever.  This  produced  a  universal  burst  of  laughter;  and 
so  loud  and  long  was  the  peal  (in  which  I  was  compelled 
to  join),  that  monsieur  paused,  and  seemed  now,  for  the 
first  time,  to  be  sensible  that  there  was  an  unusual  col- 
lection in  the  hall,  and  that  something  was  wrong  some- 
where. 

The  scene  at  this  moment  was  picturesque  in  the 
highest  degree.  There  stood  Mons.  Garrot,  in  the  middle 
of  the  room,  with  his  fiddle  in  his  hand;  his  pantaloons 
hanging  upon  a  chair,  and  his  morning  gown  floating  be- 
hind him;  looking  first  at  Mr.  Gregory,  then  at  me,  then 
at  the  cluster  of  heads  at  the  door,  utterly  at  a  loss  to 
know  what  it  all  meant.  There  stood  Mr.  Gregory,  too, 
in  his  neat  drab  colored  coat  and  Sunday  inexpressibles, 
the  very  impersonation  of  order,  decency  and  decorum, 
looking  at  the  brawny,  half  naked  Frenchman,  with 
wonder  and  surprise.  There,  too,  was  the  crowd  of  cu- 
rious faces,  male  and  female,  peering  in  at  the  hall  door; 
exhibiting  every  variety  of  expression,  from  the  most 
serious  to  the  most  comic;  all  staring  in  profound  silence, 
at  the  Frenchman  and  his  fiddle.  It  was  ridiculous 


216  Random  Recollections. 

enough ;  and  had  it  continued  a  moment  longer,  it  would 
have  been  discreditable  too.  At  my  suggestion,  Mr. 
Gregory  left  the  room.  I  then  closed  the  door,  and  en- 
deavored to  explain  to  Mr.  Garrot  the  cause  of  the  col- 
lection in  the  hall,  and  the  motives  of  the  individual  who 
had  interrupted  him.  But  I  found  it  difficult  to  make 
him  comprehend  it ;  for  I  was  not  a  little  puzzled  myself 
to  shape  the  matter  in  such  a  way  as  to  render  the  ex- 
planation satisfactory,  as  well  as  plausible.  At  length 
he  seemed  to  understand  it;  and  taking  out  his  tablets, 
wrote  down  what  I  suppose  he  considered  the  substance 
of  my  explanation,  and  then  handed  it  to  me  and  read. 
It  ran  thus:  "Americans  have  very  little  taste  for 
music,  and  never  listen  with  pleasure  to  the  violin  on 
Sundays,  except  in  church!'9 

'Tis  very  well,  said  I,  monsieur;  'tis  very  well. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards,  we  walked  deliberately  down 
stairs,  and  took  our  seats  at  the  tea  table,  as  carelessly 
and  as  composedly,  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  But  I 
observed,  what  Monsieur  Garrot  probably  did  not,  that 
every  eye  in  the  room  was  occasionally  turned  upon  him. 
Though  in  one  sense  the  author  of  the  mischief,  and 
certainly  the  most  censurable  of  the  two,  yet  I  received 
the  thanks  of  Mr.  Gregory,  for  having  put  an  end  to  the 
confusion  occasioned  by  the  musical  taste  of  Monsieur 
Garrot. 

It  is  near  the  breakfast  hour  and  the  city' boarders,  I 
perceive,  are  already  dropping  in.  That  well  dressed, 
handsome  faced  gentleman  standing  upon  the  stoop,  with 
his  hat  under  his  arm  and  a  rattan  in  his  hand,  is  Mr. 
James  Kane,  of  whom  you  have  heard  me  speak  so  fre- 
quently. The  tall,  spare  man,  with  whom  he  is  con- 
versing, is  Mr.  Walter  Clark,  a  merchant,  of  the  city, 
plain  and  simple  in  his  character  and  manner,  but  polite 
and  gentlemanly.  The  person  that  has  just  joined  them, 
is  an  exceedingly  clever  man  in  his  way — a  little  self- 
complacent,  perhaps,  but  a  gentleman  and  a  wit:  the 
latter  he  inherited,  among  other  goods  and  chattels,  from 
his  father,  who  had  a  great  deal  more,  by  the  by,  than  he 


Random  Recollections.  217 

bequeathed  to  any  one.  He  is,  as  you  perceive,  extremely 
civil  and  polite;  but  it  is  rather  because  he  deems  it  due 
to  himself,  than  to  others.  His  wit,  though  perfectly 
good  natured,  is  not  scattered  at  random.  It  has  its 
mark,  and  is  always  intended  to  tell.  But  notwith- 
standing his  piquancy,  and  self  appreciation,  he  is  a  cle- 
ver companion,  particularly  over  a  bottle  of  good  Ma- 
deira. His  fine  rosy  face  shows  this.  In  short,  among 
the  gentlemen  of  the  Tontine,  Mr.  Caldwell  holds  no 
second  rank. 

That  young  man  standing  in  the  centre  of  the  group  on 

the  left,  is  a  Mr.  ,  somewhat  remarkable  for  his  flow 

of  spirits  and  fluency  of  speech.  He  has  acquired  some 
reputation  in  the  city,  as  a  business  man,  and  is  quite  a 
favorite  with  Mr.  Kane.  He  is  said  to  be  something  of 
a  reader  too,  and,  by  the  aid  of  a  retentive  memory,  sus- 
tains himself  in  the  midst  of  a  class  of  young  men,  much 
better  educated  than  himself.  He  has  a  disposition  to 
satire,  which  he  frequently  indulges  at  the  expense  of 
others,  but  without  any  taint  of  malignity.  In  his  open 
and  somewhat  random  mode  of  talking,  he  certainly  says 
some  things,  and  tells  some  truths,  which  it  would  be 
difficult  for  any  other  person  to  utter  without  giving 
offence.  He  has  the  advantage,  too,  of  being  older,  if 
not  abler,  than  he  looks;  and,  under  the  guise  of  a  frank 
and  heedless  manner,  is  keenly  observant  of  the  conduct 
and  character  of  those  around  him.  I  have  no  doubt  that 
he  has,  at  this  moment,  in  his  portfolio,  a  full  length 
portrait,  not  only  of  many  of  his  personal  friends  and 
acquaintances,  but  of  most  of  the  distinguished  men  of 
the  state.  But  he  is  no  scholar,  and  can  not  give  to  his 
sketches  an  abiding  interest. 

That  plain  but  gentlemanly  looking  man,  now  talking 
with  Mr.  Kane,  is  Mr.  Sedgwick,  a  member  of  the  bar, 
and  one  of  the  most  promising  young  men  in  the  city. 
His  character  may  be  read  in  his  countenance:  in  which, 
I  think,  you  may  also  read  that  he  is  from  Massachusetts. 
He  brings  with  him  the  advantages  of  family  reputation, 
character,  and  talents;  and  sustains  these  antecedents  by 


218 


Random  Recollections* 


personal  merit,  purity  of  mind,  and  cleverness  of  manner. 
He  is  the  professional  partner  of  Mr.  Harmanus  Bleecker, 
a  gentleman  of  sterling  merit,  and  withal  the  best  Dutch 
scholar  in  the  city. 


Dutch  Church. 


Ancient  Costume. 


(219) 

KEMINISCENCES  OF  ALBANY. 

From  Memoirs  of  Elkanah  Watson,  p.  267. 


1788. 

Curiosity  conducted  him  to  the  "  old  Dutch  city  of  Al- 
bany," that  he  might  compare  their  habits  and  manners 
with  those  of  the  cities  01  Holland,  from  whence  their  an- 
cestors had  emigrated  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years  before  ;  the  one  surrounded  by  the  progress  and  re- 
finement of  Europe,  and  the  other  in  contact  with  savage 
barbarism.  At  that  period  Albany  was  the  second  city  in 
the  state,  containing  about  six  hundred  dwellings,  general- 
ly constructed  on  the  old  Dutch  model,  but  was  rapidly 
modernizing,  as  well  in  its  architecture  as  customs.  The 
city  he  regarded  as  awkwardly  situated  upon  the  declivity 
of  a  hill.  The  houses  were  principally  of  brick ,  and  many 
were  elegant.  Vessels  of  eight  feet  draught  plied  con- 
stantly and  in  great  numbers  between  the  city  and  New 
York.  The  trade  was  immense,  and  rapidly  increasing. 
A  branch  of  this  trade,  formerly  of  great  value,  had 
then  become  nearly  extinct — the  traffic  in  furs,  which  the 
British  had  found  means  toavett  from  this  avenue,  chiefly 
by  the  ascendency  they  derived  from  their  forts,  within 
our  own  territory. 

The  inhabitants  were  mostly  Dutch,  attached  to  their 
own  customs,  and  cherishing  their  national  prejudices. 

As  foreigners  intermixed  with  them,  these  peculiarities 
were  relaxing,  and  insensibly  softening.  They  had  gene- 
rally adopted  in  the  instruction  of  their  children  the  Eng- 
lish tongue,  by  the  establishment  of  English  schools. 
Mr.  Watson  expressed  in  his  journal,  the  prediction  that 
the  Dutch  language,  in  half  a  century,  would  be  unknown 
in  that  city  as  a  spoken  language. 

He  proceeded  eight  miles  from  Albany  to  the  new 
glasshouse,  erected  by  John  De  Neufville,  a  former  cor- 


220  Reminiscences  of  Albany. 

respondent  of  Mr.  Watson,  and  an  inhabitant  of  Am- 
sterdam. Mr.  De  Neufville  was  the  negotiator  of  the 
treaty  made  by  Holland  with  the  American  congress, 
which  essentially  produced  the  war  between  the  former 
and  England  in  1781.  He  commenced  business  with  an 
hereditary  capital  of  half  a  million  sterling,  and  lived 
in  Amsterdam  and  at  his  country  seat  in  the  highest 
affluence  and  splendor.  He  sacrificed  his  fortune  by  his 
attachment  to  the  cause  of  American  independence,  and 
in  his  efforts  to  sustain  it.  The  fragments  of  his  es- 
tate he  had  invested  in  the  hopeless  enterprise  of  estab- 
lishing this  glass  factory.  Mr.  Watson  found  this  gentle- 
man, born  to  affluence,  in  a  solitary  seclusion,  occupying 
a  miserable  log  cabin  furnished  with  a  single  deal  table 
and  two  common  chairs — destitute  of  the  ordinary  com- 
forts of  life. 

Ibid,  p.  275. 

My  curiosity  satisfied,  I  sent  my  horse  towards  Albany, 
and  embarked  on  board  a  returning  bateaux,  and  pro- 
ceeded down  the  Mohawk  to  Little  Falls,  anxious  to 
examine  that  place,  with  an  eye  to  canals.  We  aban- 
doned ourselves  to  the  current  of  the  river,  which,  with 
the  aid  of  our  oars,  impelled  us  at  a  rapid  rate.  We  met 
numerous  bateaux  coming  up  the  river,  freighted  with 
whole  families,  emigrating  to  the  "land  of  promise."  I 
was  surprised  to  observe  the  dexterity  with  which  they 
manage  their  boats,  and  the  progress  they  make  in  poll- 
ing up  the  river,  against  a  current  of  at  least  three  miles 
an  hour.  The  first  night  we  encamped  at  a  log-hut  on 
the  banks  of  the  river,  and  the  next  morning  I  disem- 
barked at  German  Flats. 

The  meander-ings  of  the  river,  by  my  estimate,  about 
doubles  the  distance  of  a  direct  line.  We  passed  a  valu- 
able tract  of  16,000  acres  of  land,  situated  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  which  has  been  granted  by  the  state  to 
Baron  Steuben.  From  Schenectady  I  pursued  the  road 
across  a  thickly  settled  country,  embracing  many  fine 
farms,  to  Ashley's  Ferry,  six  miles  above  Albany.  On 
the  east  side  of  the  river,  at  this  point,  a  new  town  has 


>  „ 


Reminiscences  of  Albany.  221 

been  recently  laid  out,  named  Vanderheyden.*  This 
place  is  situated  precisely  at  the  head  of  navigation  on 
the  Hudson.  Several  bold  and  enterprising  adventurers 
have  already  settled  here;  a  number  of  capacious  ware- 
houses, and  several  dwellings,  are  already  erected.  It 
is  favorably  situated  in  reference  to  the  important  and 
growing  trade  of  Vermont  and  Massachusetts;  and  I 
believe  it  not  only  bids  fair  to  be  a  serious  thorn  in  the 
side  of  New  City,J  but  in  the  issue  a  fatal  rival. 

I  spent  a  day  in  examining  this  locality,  and  then 
walked  on  the  banks  of  tHe  Hudson,  a  distance  of  three 
miles,  to  New  City,  where  I  continued  several  days. 
This  place  is  thronged  by  mercantile  emigrants,  princi- 
pally from  New  England,  who  have  enjoyed  a  very  ex- 
tensive and  lucrative  trade,  supplying  Vermont  and  the 
region  on  both  banks  of  the  Hudson,  as  far  as  Lake 
George,  with  merchandise ;  and  receiving  in  payment 
wheat,  pot  and  pearl  ashes,  and  lumber.  But,  as  I 
remarked,  I  think  Vanderheyden  must,  from  its  more 
eligible  position,  attain  the  ultimate  ascendency. 

I  crossed  the  river  at  Half- Moon,  a  small  hamlet  con- 
taining about  twenty  dwellings;  and  about  a  mile  from 
this  place  I  visited  the  Cohoes  falls,  upon  the  Mohawk 
river.  Nothing  so  much  charms  and  elevates  my  mind 
as  the  contemplation  of  nature  in  her  bold  and  majestic 
works.  Fixing  my  position  on  the  margin  of  the  bank, 
which  descends  in  a  vertical  precipice  of  about  seventy 
feet,  I  beheld  the  volume  of  the  Mohawk,  plunging  over 
a  fall  of  about  the  same  height,  and  nearly  perpendicular. 
The  barrier  of  rocks — the  lofty  banks — the  roaring  and 
dashing  of  the  waters — and  the  cloud  of  mist,  presented 
a  spectacle  of  surprising  sublimity.  The  river  divides 
immediately  below  the  falls  into  three  branches,  and 
empties  into  the  Hudson,  nearly  opposite  New  City. 
The  bed  of  the  stream  is  filled  with  rocks,  among  which 
it  rushes  and  surges  in  terrific  impetuosity. 

*  The  original  name  of  the  present  beautiful  city  of  Troy, 
t  The  city  of  Lansingburgh  was  then  known  by  that  name. 


222  Reminiscences  of  Albany. 

In  the  view  of  ascending  by  locks  from  the  Hudson 
into  the  Mohawk  river,  it  appears  to  me  that  the  obsta- 
cles at  this  place  will  be  much  greater  than  to  cut  a  canal 
across  the  pine  plains,  into  a  grand  basin,  back  of  Albany. 
I  took  passage  in  a  bateau  at  New  City,  to  Albany,  for 
the  purpose  of  sounding  the  river.  The  result  of  my 
examination  satisfied  me,  that  in  ordinary  tides  five  or 
six  feet  may  be  carried  to  within  a  mile  of  New  City, 
and  from  thence  to  that  town  fifteen  to  eighteen  inches. 
The  tides  sensibly  rise  and  fall  as  far  up  as  Vanderhey- 
den. 

Upon  careful  investigation  and  mature  reflection,  it 
appears  to  my  mind  that  Albany  is  one  of  the  most  favor- 
able positions  in  America  for  the  future  enjoyment  of  a 
vast  internal  commerce.  It  is  favorably  situated  in  refe- 
rence to  the  trade  of  Vermont,  and  the  extensive  eastern 
country.  It  may  control  the  fur  trade  of  the  lakes;  it 
must  occupy  the  avenues  which  penetrates  into  the  valley 
of  the  Mohawk;  and  will  be  the  depot  of  the  produce 
from  the  luxuriant  territory  of  the  Genesee. 

From  Albany,  Mr.  Watson  proceeded  to  New  York  by 
a  packet,  and  occupied  three  days  in  the  passage.  He 
speaks  of  the  Overslaugh  three  miles  below  Albany,  as 
sounding  only  eight  feet  of  water,  while  immediately  be- 
low it  deepens  to  twelve  or  fourteen  feet,  and  suggests 
that  the  impediment  might  be  removed  by  closing  two 
channels,  and  throwing  the  whole  current  of  the  river 
into  the  third.  This  obstacle  being  removed  he  expresses 
the  opinion  that  Albany  would  become  a  mart  of  foreign 
commerce. 


(223) 


PETITION  OF  REV.  G.  DELLIUS 

FOR  PAYMENT  OF  SERVICES. 

1714. 

To  the  Honnerable  the  Generale  Assembly  for  the  collony 

of  New  York. 
The  Humble  petition  of  Godefrius  Dellius,  by  his  At- 

tourney  Adolph  Philipse. 

Sheweth :  That  during  the  time  your  Honnor's  Petition- 
er was  minister  to  the  Dutch  Congregation  of  Albany,  he 
undertook,  at  his  great  cost  and  Labour  to  Convert  the 
5  Nations  &  River  Indians  to  Christianity.  And  have- 
ing  Layd  the  first  Foundation  of  that  Pious  work,  and 
made  a  Progress  therein  beyond  expectation,  It  was 
Esteemed  of  that  utility,  not  onely  in  Propagating  the 
Gospel  among  those  Heathens,  but  Likewise  to  steddy 
them  in  their  Interest  and  Obedience  of  the  Crown  of 
England,  That  the  Then  Governor  and  council  allowed 
to  your  Petitioner  a  Sallary  of  sixty  pounds  pr.  Annum 
for  that  service,  which  was  accordingly  payd  from  time 
to  time  (as  he  believes)  Except  for  one  year  and  some 
odd  months,  which  still  Remains  unpayd. 

That  upon  the  conclusion  of  the  Former  Peace  with 
France,  the  Right  Honnorable  the  Earl  of  Bellmont,  then 
Governor  of  this  Province,  sent  Coll.  Peter  Schuyler  and 
your  Petitioner  on  an  Ambassy  to  the  Governor  of  Can- 
nada,  For  which  they  were  to  have^  a  Reward  of  one 
hundered  pounds.  And  your  Petitioner  is  informed  that 
Coll.  Schuyler  has  Received  £50  for  his  moyety  thereof; 
the  other  £50  due  to  your  Petitioner  for  that  service 
Remaines  unpayd. 

That  your  petitioner  having  some  Reasons  to  Remove 
with  his  family  back  to  Europe,  could  not  Personally 


224  Petition  of  Rev.  Godfriedus  Dellius, 

sollissit  the  obtaining  warrants  or  Payment  of  the  Re- 
spective Sumes  above  mentioned;  and  the  severall  At- 
tourneys  your  Petitioner  had  here  from  time  to  time, 
have  been  the  more  Remiss  in  procuring  Either  the  one 
or  the  other,  because  they  found  the  Revenue  so  much 
Anticipated  before.  So  that  the  onely  Relief  Left  your 
Petitioner  is  from  this  Honorable  House,  who  having  now 
under  their  Prudent  consideration  the  Payment  of  all  the 
Just  Debts  and  Claims  of  this  Collony,  and  your  Petitioner 
Conceiving  the  said  two  sumes  to  be  such, 

Doth  therefore  humbly  Pray  your  Honnors  in  your 
great  Justice  will  please  to  order  and  enact  that  the  two 
Respective  Sumes  of  £60  and  £50  for  the  services  above- 
mentioned,  maybe  payd  for  his  use  to  his  said  Attourny, 
In  the  Like  manner  as  other  the  Debts  and  Claims  of 
this  Government  are  to  be  payd,  or  in  such  other  manner 
as  to  your  great  Wisdom  shall  seem  meet.  And  your 
Petioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  Pray  &c. 

A.  D.  PHILIPSE, 
For  GODFRIEDUS  DELLIUS. 

New  York,  19th  May  1714. 

["  Considered  by  ye  Councill  and  allow'd  for  Instruct- 
ing ye  Indians  halfe,  the  other  Disallowed."] 


(225) 

NOTES  FROM  THE  NEWSPAPERS. 

Continued  from  vol.  ix,  p.  283. 

1834. 

May  1.  It  appears  by  the  semi-annual  report  of  the 
Chamberlain  that  the  debt  of  the  city  was  $118,000;  that 
$46,166  had  been  paid  during  the  previous  six  months. 
Among  the  expenditures  were  the  following: 

City  Watch, $4,159'60 

Ciry  Lamps, 2,668-72 

Paving  and  draining, 48,865-47 

Ferry,  including  purchase  of  lots,  &c.,. .    11,562*26 

Schools, .' 3,788-31 

County  Poor, 11,025*27 

Contingencies, 12,309'38 

May  21.  Dr.  C.  Humphrey,  eldest  son  of  Chauncy 
Humphrey,  died  in  Calcutta,  aged  33. 

June  23.  The  common  council  elected  Harmanus  Van 
Ingen  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department.  William 
McElroy  and  -Charles  Pohlman  were  elected  assistant 
engineers. 

The  canal  basin  having  been  constructed  without  any 
outlet,  became  a  nuisance,  and  the  corporation  was  in- 
dicted for  it.  The  recorder,  James  McKown,  was  in- 
structed to  defend  the  action,  on  the  ground  that  the  bulk 
head  at  the  lower  part  of  the  basin  had  been  placed  there 
jby  the  pier  company  under  the  sanction  of  an  act  of  the 
legislature,  and  being  private  property,  the  corporation 
could  not  be  bound  to  abate  the  nuisance.  The  Albany 
court  of  sessions  decided  against  the  corporation,  but  the 
supreme  court  reversed  the  decision. 

A  law  was  passed  to  construct  a  stone  arch  over  Beaver 
creek  in  Johnson  street.     The  creek  was  still  an  open 
stream  throughout  its  entire  length,  to  the  river. 
[Annak,  x.]  20 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1834. 

July  4.  The  Albany  Burgesses  Corps  made  its  first 
public  parade,  with  about  fifty  rank  and  file,  making  a 
new  military  feature  in  the  city  both  as  to  uniform  and 
tactics. 

July  4.  The  new  bell  of  the  Second  R.  P.  Dutch  church 
was  rung  for  the  first  time  on  this  morning.  It  was  the 
third  bell  that  had  been  suspended  in  the  tower  of  that 
church.  The  first  was  imported  from  Holland  in  1818, 
and  weighed  28421bs,  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $2000.  It  was 
broken  the  same  year.  The  second  was  recast  from  the 
materials  of  the  first  in  December  of  the  same  year  by 
Julius  Hanks,  of  Gibbonsville,  and  weighed  24301bs. 
It  was  cracked  in  May  of  the  present  year,  and  recast  by 
Lewis  Aspinwall  of  this  city,  on  the  evening  of  the  27th 
June,  and  suspended  in  time  to  announce  the  day  of  in- 
dependence. Its  weight  was  27371bs,  the  largest  bell  in 
the  city. 

July  4.  \\illiam  Cook,  an  Albany  merchant,  died  at 
Saratoga  Springs. 

July  5.  Sally  Ann,  wife  of  Lemuel  L.  Steele,  died, 
aged  28. 

July  7.  The  steam  boat  Helen,  built  on  a  new  prin- 
ciple by  Mr.  Burden,  arrived  on  her  first  trip  from  New 
York.  She  broke  some  part  of  her  machinery  twice 
during  the  passage,  and  made  the  trip  in  9h.  58m. 

July  9.  Erastus  Corning,  chairman  of  the  commis- 
sioners, gave  notice  that  an  election  for  thirteen  directors 
of  the  Albany  City  Bank,  and  for  three  inspectors  of  the 
first  annual  election  thereafter,  would  be  held  at  the  City 
Hotel  on  the  24th  July.  Subsequently  Erastus  Corning 
was  elected  president,  and  Watts  Sherman,  cashier  of 
the  bank  at  Little  Falls,  was  appointed  cashier. 

July  10.  Mrs.  Pheby  Taylor  died  aged  80,  and  was 
buried  from  the  house  of  her  son  John  Taylor,  in  Lydius 
street. 

July  11.  Isaac  0.  Davis  advertised  a  mercantile  gen- 
eral agency  and  collecting  office,  No.  67  State  street. 

July  14.  Edmund  Charles  Genet  died  at  his  residence, 
Prospect  Hill,  Greenbush,  aged  71.  He  took  an  active 
part  for  many  years  in  the  vain  endeavor  to  procure  a 


1834.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  227  .^ 

permanent  improvement  in  the  channel  of  the  river  near 
this  city. 

July  15.  James  Hunter  died,  aged  38.  He  was  one 
of  the  editors  of  the  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  from  1823 
until  October,  1832,  and  in  the  course  of  that  period  he  la- 
bored assiduously  in  maintenance  of  the  principles  of  the 
Clintonian  party  until  the  death  of  the  governor  left  it 
without  a  head.  He  had  recently  been  engaged  in  edit- 
ing the  Albany  Daily  NBWS,  which  he  relinquished  only 
four  days  before  his  death. 

July  16.     James  Parker  died,  aged  24. 

July  17.     George  Greer  died,  aged  74. 

Ruth,  widow  of  Stephen  Lobdel,  died,  aged  61 . 

July  18.  Charles  R.  Webster,  founder  of  the  Albany 
Gazette,  died  at  Saratoga  Springs,  aged  72.  He  had 
been  ill  several  weeks  of  a  glandular  affection,  but  was 
not  supposed  to  be  in  imminent  danger.  Only  a  few 
minutes  before  his  death  he  was  walking  about  his  room. 
He  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  served  his  apprentice- 
ship with  the  ancient  house  of  Hudson  &  Goodwin  at 
Hartford,  and  in  1782  he  established  a  weekly  paper 
here  in  connection  with  S.  Ballentine,  and  two  years 
later  commenced  the  Albany  Gazette,  at  the  head  of 
which  he  remained  about  forty  years,  and  was  also  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  bookselling.  During  half  a  century 
he  was  conspicuous  for  a  liberal  philanthropy,  and  an 
unvarying  readiness  to  give  aid  and  impulse  to  every 
enterprise  calculated  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  city, 
or  secure  the  beneficial  results  of  a  discriminating  charity. 
As  a  natural  consequence  he  had  become  identified  with 
the  interests  and  growing  prosperity  of  the  city.  For  a 
biographical  sketch  of  him  see  Annals,  vol.  5,  p.  230.  His 
funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  citizens, 
including  several  societies  of  which  he  had  been  a  con- 
spicuous and  valuable  member. 

July  25.  The  funeral  ceremonies  in  honor  of  Lafayette 
were  performed  in  this  city  with  great  splendor  and  effect. 
The  military,  firemen,  the  societies  and  trades  swelled 
the  pageant.  Major-General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Jr. 


228  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1834. 

headed  the  procession  as  marshal.  The  pall  bearers 
were  nine  revolutionary  companions  of  Lafayette,  Messrs. 
Gregory,  Winne,  Hilton,  Van  Rensselaer,  Ryckman,  Kid- 
ney, Van  Alstyne,  Shields  and  Russell.  The  Yorktown 
ordnance,  a  twelve-pounder,  captured  by  Lafayette  at 
Yorktown,  was  borne  in  the  procession.  The  eulogy 
was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague.  A  torch  light 
procession  by  the  Burgesses  Corps  under  Capt.  Cole  and 
the  firemen,  at  11  o'clock  at  night,  bore  the  urn  and 
eagle  from  the  church  to  the  Capitol,  and  closed  the  im- 
posing ceremonies  of  the  occasion. 

July  28.     George  G.  Simpson  died,  aged  33. 

July  28.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  G.  W. 
Carpenter,  city  surveyor,  reported  a  level  for  that  part 
of  the  city  lying  south  of  Ferry  .street  and  west  of  Pearl 
street.  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  resolved  to  alter  the 
level  of  Patroon  street  from  the  pavement  west. 

The  directors  of  the  Hudson  River  Steam  Boat  com- 
pany reduced  the  fare  between  New  York  and  Albany  on 
all  their  boats  to  $2. 

July  28.  The  annual  examination  of  the  Albany 
Academy  took  place,  when  the  honors  were  awarded  to 
the  following  boys:  Aurelian  Conkling  (took  the  Cald- 
well  Medal),  John  Newland,  Isaac  Vanderpoel  (1st  in 
Daboll),  Maunsell  Van*  Rensselaer,  James  B.  Weed, 
Frederick  Townsend,  Aaron  Hill,  Wm.  A.  Miller,  Wm. 
Davis,  George  H.  Monteath,  Robert  Townsend,  George 
B.  Hoyt,  A.  A.  Dunlop.  Robert  Waterman,  Duncan 
Campbell,  Henry  Q.  Lansing.  These  lads  are  now  fill- 
ing creditable  positions  in  divinity,  law  and  trade. 

Aug.  6.     Samuel  Harbeck  died  in  New  York,  aged  50. 

Aug.  9.  Francis  W.,  son  of  Lemuel  Pierce,  died, 
aged  23. 

Aug.  11.  Jane  Ann,  wife  of  John  Manning,  died, 
aged  28. 

Aug.  11.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  John 
Preston,  *'  a  sojourner  in  this  city,"  presented  a  petition 
urging  the  planting  of  elm  trees  on  each  side  of  the  streets. 

A  communication  was  received  from  John  Forsyth, 


1834.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  229 

acting  secretary  of  war,  in  relation  to  the  appropriation 
recently  granted  by  congress  for  the  improvement  of  the 
Hudson  river.  There  was  a  difference  between  the  com- 
mon councils  of  Troy  and  Albany  about  this  work,  the 
former  wished  to  have  it  commence  at  the  upper  end,  the 
latter  at  the  southern  and  extend  north  as  far  as  the  ap- 
propriation would  carry  it. 

Aug.   11.     Cases  of  cholera  occurred.     On  the  15th 
the  board  of  health  reported  that  there  had  been  15  cases- 
and  3  deaths  since  the  12th. 

Aug.  15.  Julia  Ann*  wife  of  Orison  Filkins,  died, 
aged  21. 

Aug.  18.  Fourteen  new  cases  of  cholera  and  nine 
deaths  occurred  since  the  15th. 

Aug.  19.     Five  new  cases  and  one  death. 

Aug.  20.     Seven  new  cases,  six  deaths. John  I. 

Evertsen  died,  aged  45. 

Aug.  21.  The  new  Uuiversalist  meeting  house  in 
Green  street  was  dedicated. 

Aug.  25.     Lewis  Grinnell  died,  aged  41. 

Aug.  26.     Mrs.  Jane  Lamphire  died,  aged  67. 
Mrs.  Jane  Ann  Mancius  died. 

Sept.  1.  Margaret,  widow  of  Harmanus  Ten  Eyck, 
died,  aged  79. 

Sept.  3.  Matilda,  widow  of  John  B.  Van  Steenbergh, 
died. 

Sept.  7.     John  L.  Burrows  died  at  Caughnawaga. 

Mary  C.,  wife  of  Dr.  Richard  Dusenbury, 
died  in  Westchester  county. 

Sept.  8.  The  Theatre  which  had  been  some  time 
closed,  was  opened  by  William  Duffy,  remodeled,  and 
decorated  by  the  skill  of  John  Leslie. 

A  new  line  of  steam  boats  was  now  running  on  the 
river  in  competition  with  the  old  line,  having  two  boats, 
the  Nimrod  and  Champion,  under  the  title  of  the  Peo- 
ple's Line. 

Sept.  8.    Frances,  wife  of  Daniel  Powers,  died,  aged  47. 

Sept.  9.  The  common  council,  on  the  application  of 
Lemuel  Jenkins  directed  Jay  street  to  be  provided  with 
lamps. 


230  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1834. 

Sept.  9.  Mary,  widow  of  Duncan  McLachlan,  died, 
aged  44. 

Sept.  16.  The  board  of  health  congratulated  the  citi- 
zens on  the  continued  good  health  of  the  city  since  the 
month  came  in;  the  reports  of  the  physicians  were  no 
longer  required,  and  the  hospital  opened  for  the  reception 
of  cholera  patients  had  been  closed. 

Sept.  17.  A  general  convention  of  the  Universalists 
of  the  United  States  was  held  at  the  new  meeting  house 
in  Green  street;  the  occasional  sermon  being  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Hosea  Ballon. 

Sept.  17.  Phoebe,  wife  of  Capt.  Eliakim  Ford,  died, 
aged  47. 

Rebecca,  wife  of  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer,  died  at 
Huron,  Ohio,  aged  39. 

Sept.  22.     Fergus  McLachlan  died,  aged  63. 

John  Hallenbeck,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  at  Havana, 
aged  28. 

A  wandering  religious  imposter,  Mathias,  was  appre- 
hended upon  suspicion  of  many  crimes  committed  against 
individuals  in  New  York,  whose  confidence  in  his  divine 
mission  he  had  unaccountably  succeeded  in  obtaining. 

Sept.  22.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  a  peti- 
tion was  presented  for  opening  Quay  street  from  Lydius 
to  Ferry  street. 

The  committee  on  schools  reported  a  resolution  to 
raise  $1262-77  for  the  support  of  the  common  school 
east  of  Perry  street. 

The  three  infant  schools  that  were  now  maintained 
by  charitable  contributions,  had  about  1200  pupils,  and 
cost  $1,000  per  annum.  A  part  of  the  money  was  raised 
by  collections  in  the  churches. 

Sept.  30.     Henry  Carpenter  died. 

Oct.  1.     John  W.  Cushman  died,  aged  30. 

Oct.  6.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  P.  Nor- 
ton and  two  or  three  hundred  others  of  all  parties 
petitioned  for  a  law  to  prevent  the  burning  of  tar  barrels, 
throwing  of  fire  balls  composed  of  tow,  turpentine  and 
other  inflammable  articles,  about  the  periods  of  elections, 
and  other  times  of  public  excitement. 


1834.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  231 

The  legislature  had  passed  a  law  on  the  first  of  May, 
that  the  time  of  holding  the  annual  election  for  aldermen, 
prescribed  in  the  charter  the  last  Tuesday  in  September, 
should  be  changed  to  the  first  Tuesday  of  May,  and  au- 
thorizing the  aldermen  to  hold  over  the  intervening  seven 
months.  A  controversy  arose  in  the  board  about  the 
constitutionality  of  such  a  law,  Israel  Williams  in  a  long 
speech  maintained  that  it  was  unconstitutional,  and  the 
recorder,  James  McKown  and  Mr.  Lovett  defending  the 
law.  On  motion  of  alderman  Wasson  the  subject  was 
laid  on  the  table,  12  to  Q, 

Mary,  widow  of  Joseph  Ives,  died,  aged  71. 

Nancy,  wife  of  Loammi  Carter,  died. 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  George  M.  Sayles,  died. 

Oct.  8.     The  Albany  Burgesses  Corps  celebrated  their' 
first  anniversary  by  an  excursion  to  Troy  and  Gibbons- 
ville. 

Oct.  11.     Gilbert  Ackerman  died. 

The  sale  of  the  pews  in  the  new  Pearl  street  Baptist 
church  produced  nearly  $19,000,  leaving  70  unsold. 

Oct.  12.  Paul  Hochstrasser  died  of  apoplexy  at  his 
residence  in  Perry,  Genesee  county,  aged  71. 

John  Southmayd  died  at  New  Bedford  aged  30. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ide  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the  Green 
street  Baptist  church. 

Oct.  15.     Wm.  Henry  Shaw  died,  aged  24. 

Wm.  A.  Tweed  Dale  gave  notice  that  having  finished 
a  term  of  twenty-three  years  in  this  city,  and  relinquished 
the  business  of  school  teaching,  he  proposed  to  instruct 
young  men  in  a  course  of  reading  in  connection  with  the 
Apprentices'  Library. 

Oct.  16.  The  committee  (consisting  of  S.  S.  Fowler, 
B.  P.  Staats,  and  S.  Schuyler)  appointed  by  the  board  of 
supervisors  to  erect  an  additional  prison  on  the  peniten- 
tiary system,  gave  notice  that  they  had  discharged  the 
duty  assigned  to  them,  and  requested  all  citizens  who 
felt  an  interest  in  the  punishment  and  reformation  of 
offenders  to  call  and  examine  said  prison,  which  would 
be  open  for  the  purpose. 


232  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1834. 

Oct.  20.  James  King  petitioned  the  common  council 
to  have  Ten  Broeck  street  excavated;  Henry  Newman 
and  others  in  behalf  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  John 
Meads  in  behalf  of  the  water  works  company  remon- 
strated against  the  opening  of  a  square  adjacent  to  the 
contemplated  State  House;  John  Vosburgh  and  others 
petitioned  for  the  change  of  the  name  of  Orchard  street 
to  Pearl;  James  McNaughton  and  others  applied  for  the 
$1500  appropriated  by  the  board  for  the  improvement  of 
Clinton  square. 

Oct.  21.  An  anniversary  of  all  the  sabbath  schools  took 
place  by  a  procession  from  the  Park  to  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian church,  where  the  exercises  were  conducted  by 
the  Revs.  Dr.  Sprague,  J.  N.  Campbell,  Meeker,  Kirk  and 
Ferris. 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  the  late  Chancellor  Lansing, 
died. 

Oct.  23.  The  steam  boat  Novelty  with  a  load  of  Nott's 
stoves  struck  a  hommock  on  the  overslaugh  and  sunk. 

Oct.  24.     William  Teeling  died,  aged  63. 

Oft.  25.     Mary,  widow  of  Wm.  Brown,  died,  aged  79. 

Oct.  26.  The  Pearl  street  Baptist  church  was  opened 
for  public  worship,  the  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ide,  pas- 
tor of  the  Green  street  church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Ludlow  of  the  North  Dutch  church  was 
appointed  provost  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  professor  of  moral  philosophy. 

Oct.  27.     Killian  H.  Van  Rensselaer  died,  aged  23. 
Daniel  Sickles  died. 

Nov.  5.     Sarah,  wife  of  Jellis  Winne,  Jr.,  died. 

Nov.  5.     At  the  annual   election   the   following  vote 
was  cast  in  the  city,  except  in  the  three  first  lines  the 
first  ward  is  not  included. 
Governor,  Seward  1523,  Marcy  1434. 
Lt.  Gov.  Stillwell  1525,  Tracy  1427. 
Senator,  Miller  1529,  Lawyer  1425. 
Congress,  Barnard  2137,  Lansing  1930. 
Assembly,  Wheaton  2135,  Waldron  2125,  Frisbee  2117. 
(Dem.)  Livingston  1943,  Conner  1922,  Seger  1927. 


1834.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  233 

Clerk,  Haswell  2051,  Ten  Eyck  2004. 
'Sheriff,  McDuffie  2169,  Niles  1980. 

Mr.  Marcy's  majority  in  the  county  was  29. 

Gerrit  Y.  Lansing  was  elected  to  congress  by  a  major- 
ity of  123  votes  over  Daniel  D.  Barnard,  having  received 
4944. 

Edward  Livingston  was  elected  to  the  assembly  by  a 
majority  of  5  over  Henry  G.  Wheaton. 

Angus  McDuffie  was  elected  sheriff,  the  only  candidate 
of  the  whig  party  that  was  elected. 

Conrad  A.  Ten  Eyck  Deceived  5028  votes  for  county 
clerk,  the  largest  vote  received  by  any  candidate, 

Nov.  12.     Richard  Rhodes  died,  aged  34. 

Nov.  15.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Hamilton,  late  of 
the  Albany  Theatre,  died,  aged  30. 

Nov.  16.  Isaac  Hamilton,  an  eminent  lawyer,  died  at 
St.  Mary's,  Georgia,  aged  55.  He  had  practiced  his  pro- 
fession in  Albany  more  than  thirty  years,  and  was  noted 
for  strict  integrity  and  unwearied  industry.  He  was  re- 
peatedly elected  to  the  offices  of  supervisor  and  alderman 
in  his  ward,  and  member  of  assembly  once.  In  every 
public  station  in  which  he  was  placed,  he  evinced  a  noble 
disinterestedness  of  character  and  elevated  views  of  pub- 
lic duty  and  public  virtue. 

Nov.  19.  At  an  election  for  officers  of  the  St.  Nich- 
olas Benevolent  Society,  the  following  were  chosen  for 
the  year  ensuing. 

Abraham  Van  Vechten,  president. 

Harmanus  Bleecker,  ) 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  V  vice  presidents. 

John  B.  Van  Schaick,         ) 

John  V.  L.  Pruyn,  secretary. 

Volkert  P.  Douw,  treasurer. 

Rev.  Robert  Bronk  and  Rev.  Cortland  Van  Rensselaer, 
chaplains. 

Drs.  Jonathan  Eights  and  John  W.  Bay,  physicians. 

Richard  Varick  De  Witt,  Egbert  Egberts,  Conrad  A. 
Ten  Eyck,  William  Lush,  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,  Peter 
Lansing,  Jr.,  Herman  Wendell,  William  Smith,  George 
M.  Bleecker,  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  managers. 


234  Notes  Jrom  the  Newspapers.  1834. 

Nov.  19.     Mrs.  Sarah  Douglass  died,  aged  74. 

Nor.  22.     John  Lightbody  died,  aged  88. 

Mrs.  Bridget  Courtney  died,  aged  75. 
Israel  Tuffs  died,  aged  61. 

Nov.  23.  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Price  was  instituted  rector 
of  St.  Paul's  church. 

Nov.  24.  The  following  bill  of  fare  was  proposed  to 
the  common  council  by  alderman  Wasson  for  the  Alms- 
house:  Breakfast,  bohea  tea  sweetened  with  molasses 
and  bread  thinly  spread  with  butter  before  put  on  the 
table.  Dinner,  beef  soup  and  bread  every  day  except 
Tuesday  and  Friday,  on  which  days  codfish  and  potatoes 
with  bread.  Supper,  mush  sweetened  with  molasses,  of 
which  two  spoonsfull  allowed  each  person. 

Sarah,  wife  of  Azor  Taber,  died. 

Nov.  25.     Walter  Easton  died,  aged  65. 

The  magnates  at  the  Albany  Theatre  at  this  time  were 
J.  Sheridan  Knowles,  and  Miss  Watson,  the  pupil  of 
Paganini. 

Dec.  3.  Simeon  De  Witt,  surveyor  of  the  state,  died 
at  Ithaca,  aged  79. 

While  a  student  in  Queens  college  he  joined  a  volun- 
teer company  formed  of  students,  which  was  broken  up 
by  the  capture  of  New  Brunswick  by  the  British  army; 
he  then  removed  into  this  state,  and  was  present  and 
serving  as  a  volunteer  from  Ulster  county,  in  the  line  of 
the  Continental  army  at  the  capture  of  Gen.  Burgoyne 
on  the  17th  October,  1777,  and  was  shortly  after  ap- 
pointed assistant  geographer  to  the  army.  The  next 
year,  on  the  resignation  of  Col.  Erskine  he  was  appointed 
geographer-general,  which  office  he  held  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  and  was  always  distinguished  for  zeal  and 
efficiency.  After  the  peace  of  1783  he  was  appointed 
surveyor-general  of  the  state,  and  held  the  office  until 
the  day  of  his  death,  having  served  his  country  in  war 
and  in  peace  for  upwards  of  half  a  century;  and  by  the 
courtesy  and  kindness  of  his  manner,  and  the  strict  in- 
tegrity of  his  conduct,  acquired  in  an  eminent  degree  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


1834.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  235 

Dec.  4.     Elisha  Kane  died  at  Philadelphia,  aged  64. 

Dec.  6.     William  Carpenter  died. 

Dec.  7.  The  new  church  erected  in  Hallenbake  street 
by  the  Methodist  Protestant  Society,  afterwards  known 
as  the  House  of  Prayer,  was  dedicated.  It  was  situated 
between  Beaver  and  Hudson  streets,  and  the  first  preacher 
was  Rev.  C.  W.  Denison,  a  baptist.  It  was  claimed  that 
this  "forcibly  illustrated  the  liberal  character  of  the 
congregation." 

Cornelius  Thayer  died. 

Dec.  8.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Fire  Department,  Elias 
A.  Brown  was  elected  president,  Dennison  Worthington 
vice  president,  John  Cuyler  secretary,  Elisha  N.  Pratt 
treasurer. 

Dec.  13.     Jacob  I.  Evertsen  died,  aged  31. 

Dec.  14.  A  fire  broke  out  in  Van  Schaick  street  which 
destroyed  Josiah  Wynant's  soap  and  candle  factory  and 
several  other  buildings. 

The  Half  Way  House  of  Peleg  Noyes  on  the  Water- 
vliet  turnpike  having  been  burned,  by  which  he  was 
reduced  to  poverty,  the  citizens  held  a  meeting  to  raise 
money  for  his  benefit,  and  the  Theatre  set  apart  an  even- 
ing's performances  for  the  same  purpose. 

Dec.  15.     Thermometer  7  deg.  below  zero. 
Charles  Dillingham  died,  aged  35. 
Edwin  M.  Bosworth  died,  aged  27. 
Henry  Truax  died,  aged  74. 

Dec.  16.  Leonard  Gansevoort  died,  aged  81.  He 
was  for  thirty  years  a  member  of  the  common  council, 
and  many  years  a  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the  oldest  attorney  and 
counselor  on  the  roll  of  the  Supreme  court. 

Dec.  17.  Peter  Bain,  of  the  firm  of  Gregory  &  Bain, 
died  at  Galway. 

Dec.  22.     Henry  A.  Wilson  died,  aged  22. 

A  secession  took  place  in  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
church,  effected  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  J.  S.  R.  Willson, 
who  left  the  city  and  resumed  his  former  charge  in  Or- 
ange county. 


236  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1834, 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  clergymen  of  the  city  at 
this  time,  as  their  names  appear  with  an  engagement  to 
deliver  a  lecture  each  on  temperance. 

Wm.  B.  Sprague,  2d  Presbyterian  church. 

Horatio  Potter,  St.  Peter's. 

J.  N.  Campbell,  1st  Presbyterian. 

B.  T.  Welch,  Pearl  Street  Baptist. 
H.  Meeker,  Wesleyan  Methodist. 
Charles  Smyth,  Catholic. 

Isaac  Ferris,  South  Dutch. 

Wm.  James,  3d  Presbyterian. 

J.  H.  Price,  St.  Paul's. 

F.  G.  Mayer,  Lutheran. 

S.  Stebbins,  North  Pearl  Street  Methodist. 

E.  N.  Kirk,  Fourth  Presbyterian. 

J.  D.  Williamson,  Universalist. 

C.  Sherman,  Division  Street  Methodist. 
George  Ide,  Green  Street  Baptist. 
James  Martin,  Reformed  Presbyterian. 
S.  Center. 

North  Dutch,  no  pastor. 

The  Third  Dutch  church  had  just  been  organized. 
Rev.  Edwin  Holmes  preached  his  first  sermon,  Jan.  25, 
1835,  in  a  church  in  Westerlo  street  belonging  to  the 
Ref.  Presbyterians ;  the  first  service  was  held  there  Dec. 
7,  1834,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Ferris. 

Dec.  23.  A  fire  took  place  in  Apothecaries  Hall 
which  damaged  goods  to  the  amount  of  $300;  supposed 
to  have  been  the  work  of  an  incendiary. 

Dec.  26.  Hezekiah  Scovel,long  a  resident  of  Albany, 
died  at  Warren,  Herkimer  county. 

Dec.  29.     Mrs.  Belinda  Bus  well  died,  aged  45. 
The  following  were   elected  managers  of  the  city  as- 
semblies for  the  ensuing  year.      The   city   assemblies 
were  dancing  parties. 

John  Keyes  Paige.  James  Stevenson. 

John  A.  Dix.  James  Dexter. 

Benj.  Tibbits.  George  Brinkerhoof. 

Augustus  James.  John  Van  Buren. 


1834.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  237 

Dec.  30.     Snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  18  inches. 

An  election  was  held  in  the  first  ward  to  fill  the 
vacancy  in  the  board  of  aldermen  occasioned  by  the 
resignation  of  Angus  McDuffie,  elected  sheriff.  The 
whole  number  of  votes  cast  was  622,  of  which  Gerrit 
Hogan  received  357,  and  Aaron  V.  Fryer  246. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  on  the  same  evening  Mr. 
Hogan  was  sworn  in.  An  old  controversy  was  renewed 
between  Recorder  McKown  and  Alderman  Wasson  on 
the  subject  of  impounding  swine,  which  is  reported  in 
the  Evening  Journal.  Erastus  Corning  was  unanimously 
reelected  mayor,  and  Rufas  H.  Peckham  was  unani- 
mously elected  clerk. 

1835. 

Jan.  1.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Richard  Van  Rensselaer, 
died,  aged  35. 

Jan.  13.     John  Fitzsimmons  died,  aged  26. 

Jan.  15.  D wight  Storrs,  late  of  Albany,  died  at  An- 
cram,  aged  30. 

Jan.  31.  The  ice  in  the  river  gave  way  and  moved 
off  in  a  body,  leaving  the  channel  unobstructed. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  22  deg.  The 
mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  January  in  the  pre- 
vious year  was  23  deg. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  common  council,  the 
superintendent  of  the  Almshouse  reported  435  paupers  in 
the  institution;  there  had  been  47  deaths  and  7  births 
in  5  months.  The  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department 
reported  4  fires  and  7  alarms  in  6  months;  losses  $4,000. 

Feb.  2.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  the 
superintendent  of  the  Almshouse  reported  the  inmates 
as  follows:  of  citizens  45  men,  39  women,  61  children; 
transient  persons,  91  men,  95  women,  104  children; 
total  375. 

Feb.  4.  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Eagle  Tavern  to 
consider  the  project  of  a  bridge  across  the  river  at  this 

[Annals,  x.]  21 


238  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1835. 

city.  A  committee  of  thirty  was  appointed  to  draw  up 
a  petition. 

Feb.  8.  Rev.  E.  N.  Kirk  preached  a  sermon  in  the 
evening  for  the  benefit  of  the  Apprentices'  Library,  and 
a  collection  was  taken  up  amounting  to  $57-64.  The 
institution  had  now  been  in  existence  fourteen  years, 
had  on  its  shelves  2,200  books,  900  of  which  were  drawn 
out  every  month. 

Feb.  9.  A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Capitol  for  the 
purpose  of  making  an  application  to  the  legislature  for  the 
removal  of  the  nuisance  occasioned  by  the  canal  basin. 

Feb.  104  John  C.  Donnelyxiied,  aged  43.  His  fune- 
ral was  attended  by  the  members  of  the  fire  department. 

Alvah  M.  Lockwood  died,  aged  24. 

Feb.  12.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Joseph  Strong,  died, 
aged  44. 

Feb.  14.     Theophilus  Carter  died. 

Feb.  17.  Peter  Lansing,  Jr.  died,  aged  46.  His  fune- 
ral was  attended  by  the  St.  Nicholas  society,  of  which 
he  was  one  of  the  founders. 

Feb.  20.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  attic  of  Washington 
Hall,  in  South  Pearl  street,  adjoining  the  Theatre,  which 
was  subdued  after  considerable  damage  had  been  done. 

Feb.  22.     John  D.  P.  Douw  died. 

The  paternal  ancestor  of  Mr.  Douw  was  a  native  of 
Holland,  and  was  one  of  that  chosen  band  of  patriots 
who  with  many  others  of  our  respected  progenitors,  esti- 
mating the  value  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  superior 
to  all  other  blessings,  in  the  early  period  of  our  colonial 
history  left  their  homes  and  native  land,  and  relinquish- 
ing the  superior  comforts  of  civilized  life,  sought  for  quiet 
and  repose  in  the  wilds  of  America.  He  settled  on  the 
eastern  bank  of  the  Hudson,  in  the  present  town  of 
Greenbush.  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  when  we  consider 
the  vicissitudes  of  human  life,  and  the  uncertain  changes 
of  human  destiny,  that  the  original  paternal  estate  has 
been  retained  in  the  family,  descending  from  father  to 
son,  through  the  line  of  successive  generations,  for  the 
period  of  one  hundred  and  forty  years.  The  father  of 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  239 

Mr.  Douw  was  a  native  and  resident  of  this  city,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  American  revolution,  of  strong 
mind,  great  energy  of  character,  and  a  whig  of  unshaken 
perseverance.  He  early  took  an  active  and  decided  part 
with  his  countrymen  against  the  usurpations  of  the  Brit- 
ish ministry,  and  the  various  important  offices  to  which 
he  was  elected  and  appointed,  are  full  of  evidences  of  the 
estimation  in  which  his  services  were  held  by  his  coun- 
trymen. After  the  close  of  the  war,  when  through  the 
blessings  of  Providence  our  cause  had  triumphed,  and 
our  country  under  the  ca»e  of  Washington,  was  moving 
onward  in  the  course  of  national  prosperity,  he  retired 
from  public  life,  and  died  at  an  advanced  age,  leaving 
to  his  children  the  most  invaluable  of  all  inheritances, 
the  inheritance  of  an  honest  name. 

Mr.  Douw  was  just  entering  into  active  life  at  the 
commencement  of  the  revolution,  and  served  as  an  officer 
in  the  commissary  department  of  the  American  army  in 
the  campaign  of  1777,  which  terminated  in  the  surrender 
of  Burgoyne.  On  the  return  of  peace  he  embarked  in 
mercantile  business  in  this  city,  and  for  a  period  of  more 
than  forty  years  was  known  as  one  of  the  most  prom- 
inent, active  and  enterprising  men  in  the  line  of  his 
profession :  and  after  acquiring  a  sufficient  competency, 
retired  from  the  pursuits  of  active  life.  Few  men  have 
passed  through  life  more  respected,  and  few  will  die 
more  regretted.  His  manners,  conversation  and  deport- 
ment, were  those  of  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school.  In- 
structed in  early  life  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian 
faith,  his  soul  was  exalted  by  its  exercise,  and  its  hopes, 
exhibiting  in  the  unvaried  tenor  of  a  long  life  how  a 
Christian  should  live,  and  in  its  last  solemn  hour,  how  a 
Christian  can  die. 

Feb.  23.     Peter  Douw  Beekman  died,  aged  73. 

Feb.  24.     Mrs.  Mary  Arrol  died,  aged  44. 

Feb.  26.     Sarah,  wife  of  Joseph  Wilson,  died,  aged  62. 

March.  There  was  a  project  before  the  common 
council  for  macadamizing  North  Pearl  street.  There 


240  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1835. 

was  also  a  good  deal  of  excitement  about  the  grade  of 
the  great  area  below  Ferry  street,  between  Pearl  street 
and  the  river,  which  was  an  unbroken  waste. 

March  10.     John  P.  Jermain  died,  aged  23. 

March  15.     Hallenbake  Stafford  died,  aged  42. 

March  20.  Eliza  Bayard,  wife  of  Wm.  P.  Van  Rens- 
selaer,  died  at  Matanzas. 

March  21.  At  a  meeting  of  the  master  bakers  at  the 
Rising  Sun  tavern,  Wm.  G.  Pruyn  president,  Stephen 
Paddock  secretary,  it  was  resolved  to  sell  bread  to  re- 
tailers at  $9  per  hundred  loaves,  and  to  families  at  9 
pence  per  loaf. 

March  22.  Joseph  L.  Townsend,  of  the  late  firm  of 
Wm.  Rice  &  Co.,  died  at  Charleston,  S.  C. 

March  23.  The  committee  entrusted  with  funds  for 
the  relief  of  sufferers  by  the  cholera,  reported  that  the 
amount  received  and  disbursed  during  the  years  1832  to 
1835  was  $3,507-30. 

Rebecca,  wife  of  Rev.  James  Martin,  died,  aged  30. 

Joseph  P.  Holmes  died. 

March  24.  Mary,  widow  of  Philip  Conine,  died  at 
Coxsackie,  sister  of  the  late  Gen.  Van  Schaick  of  Albany. 

John  T,  Norton  resigned  the  presidency  of  the  Canal 
Bank  on  removing  from  the  city,  and  Joseph  Russell  was 
elected  in  his  stead. 

March  25.  A  fire  destroyed  several  buildings  in  Plane 
street. 

The  steam  boat  John  Jay  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
city,  being  the  first  arrival  on  the  opening  of  the  river. 

March  26.  Eleanor,  wife  of  Isaac  Denniston,  died, 
aged  72. 

Louisa,  wife  of  Jacob  Hochstrasser,  died,  aged  29. 

Margaret  Fraser  died,  aged  26. 

Nathaniel  Rossiter  died,  aged  73. 

March  28.     Wm.  S.  Cobb  died,  aged  25. 

March  29.  The  several  Methodist  Episcopal  churches 
having  procured  the  building  in  State  street  continued, 
known  as  the  Primitive  Methodist  church,  opened  the 
same  for  public  worship. 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  241 

April  1.  Mary,  widow  of  the  late  James  Scott  of  this 
city,  died  in  New  York,  aged  80. 

April  2.  A  fire  destroyed  a  stable  in  Church  street 
and  two  horses  were  burnt. 

April  4.  The  following  were  elected  trustees  of  the 
Albany  Library:  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck,  Volkert  P.  Douw, 
M.  H.  Webster,  S.  De  Witt  Bloodgood,  P.  S.  Van  Rens- 
selaer  and  J.  B.  Van  Schaick. 

April  4.     Mrs.  Ann  Henry  die4,  aged  75. 

April  6.     Charles  Augustus  Little  died  at  sea,  aged  25. 

April  7.     Wm.  G.  Wasson  died,  aged  30. 

April  8.  Susan  B.,  wife  of  James  Edwards,  died  at 
Ballston,  aged  28. 

April  10.     Polly,  wife  of  Joseph  Gates,  died,  aged  46. 

April  13.     Mrs.  Jane  Vredenburgh  died,  aged  69. 

April  15.  A  fire  destroyed  a  stable  in  Dallius  street 
corner  of  Bass,  in  which  four  horses  and  a  cow  were 
consumed. 

April  19.     Wrn.  Thompson,  Jr.  died,  aged  28. 

April  20.     Charles  Goodrich  died,  aged  62. 

April  24.  A  fire  broke  out  in  a  stable  in  the  rear  of 
the  Rising  Sun  tavern,  corner  of  South  Pearl  and  Beaver 
streets,  which  destroyed  all  the  buildings  between  Bea- 
ver street  and  the  Theatre,  owned  by  Isaac  Denniston. 
The  Theatre  building  was  saved,  but  the  scenery  and 
properties  were  either  burnt  or  destroyed. 

April  24.     William  Boardman  died,  aged  64. 

Mrs.  Mary  Dunlavy  died,  aged  84. 

April  26.  Eliza,  wife  of  Peter  E.  Elmendorf,  died  of 
apoplexy,  aged  58. 

Jane,  wife  of  Alexander  McElroy  of  Trenton,  Oneida 
county,  died  at  the  house  of  her  son  Thomas  McElroy 
of  this  city,  aged  75. 

The  Daily  Advertiser  announced  that  capitalists  were 
turning  their  attention  to  investments  in  this  city;  that 
James  Stevenson  made  sale  of  his  property  on  the  corner 
of  State  and  South  Pearl  streets  for  $42,000;  and  that 
E.  C.  Delavan  had  sold  his  estate  for  $243,000.  It  is 


242 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


1835. 


DEMOCRAT. 


Ward. 


492 
468 


Levi  Cornell, 392 

George  Monteith, 368 


480     Garret  Hogan, 387 

464     B.  S.  Van  Rensselaer, . .  384 

460     Barent  P.  Staats, 379 

473     Ebenezer  Wright, 380 

Ward. 

335     William    Seymour,....  336 


320 

333 


mentioned  in  the  same  paper  that  a  person  crossing 
State  street  bridge  counted  96  persons  on  foot  and  18 
teams  passing  over  at  the  same  time. 

The  Kane  property  on  Pearl  street  below  Lydius,  was 
at  this  time  valued  at  $100,000. 

May  3.     Mrs.  Achsa  Fanning  died,  aged  63. 

May  5.  The  ward  and  charter  election  took  place, 
and  resulted  in  a  majorty  of  whig  members  being 
elected. 

WHIG. 

First 
Aldermen,     G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, . 

JohnS.  Walsh,.... 
Assistants,    Chas.  S.  Olmstead, 

Michael  Artcher, .. 
Supervisor,  Stephen  Paddock,. 

Assessor,       Green  Hal  1 , 

Second 
Aldermen,     I.  L.  Judson, 

Richard  D.  Betts,.. .. 
Assistants,    William  Davis, 

Jotham  Hancock, .... 

Supervisor,  Amos  Adams, 

Assessor,       John  Boardman, 

Third 
Aldermen,     Israel  Williams, 

Arnold  Nelson, 

Assistants,    John  W.  Bay, 

S.  D.  W.  Bloodgood,. 

Supervisor,  Egbert  Egberts, 

Assessor,       Elisha  Russell, 

Fourth 
Aldermen,     James  Robinson,.... 

Erastus  Chapin, 

Assistants,    H.  A.  Williams,.... 

Seth  Jarvis, 

Supervisor,  Daniel  Wilcox, 

Assessor,       Philip  Hooker, 

Fiflh 
Aldermen,     John  Van  Ness,  Jr. . . 

John  L.  Winne, 

Assistants,    Frederick  Porter, 

Parker  Sargent, 

Supervisor,  Robert  Shepherd, .... 
Assessor,       Benjamin  Wilson,. . . . 


323 
326 


James  D.  Wasson, 335 

Hiram  Perry, 340 

327  Jacob  Downing, 309 

John  I.  Burton, 341 

Daniel  S.  Kittle, 337 

Ward. 

309  G.  W.  Ryckman, 202 

310  J.  S.  Schoonmaker, 196 

P.  H.  Ostrander, 193 

G.  Brinckerhoff, 211 

E.  R.  Satterlee, 198 

N.  N.  Quackenbush,...   196 


307 
297 
312 
313 
Ward. 


359 
339 
356 
353 
360 
351 


Lemuel  Steele, 469 

James  Maher, 452 

James  G.  Mather, 460 

Eben  Mnrdock, 456 

S.  S.  Fowler, 455 

Lewis  Farnham, 470 

Ward. 

288     J.  N.  Quackenbush,....  281 

228     James  Gibbons, 270 

263     William  Gillespie, 290 

238     S.  V.  R.  Ableman,....  296 

514     (No  opposition). 

258     Josiah  Patterson, 29 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  243 

May  6.  In  the  house  of  assembly  the  bill  chartering 
the  Troy  and  Schenectady  rail  road  was  passed;  the  bill 
for  the  Greenbush  and  West  Stockbridge  rail  road  was 
lost,  75  to  19. 

May  7.     John  McDole  died,  aged  38. 

May  8.     John  Stone  died,  aged  42. 
Amos  Gay  died,  aged  56. 

May  10.     James  P.  Van  Benthuysen  died,  aged  62. 

May  11.  The  legislature  adjourned,  having  passed 
311  laws,  among  which  were  the  following  relating  to 
the  city : 

An  act  to  incorporate  the  Young  Men's  Association 
for  mutual  improvement. 

An  act  to  amend  the  charter  of  the  Second  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church,  giving  it  a  right  to  invest  a 
portion  of  the  control  of  its  affairs  in  pew  holders,  not 
members  of  the  consistory. 

An  act  known  as  the  Albany  Ward  Bill. 

An  act  allowing  the  Albany  and  Schenectady  turn- 
pike company  to  improve  their  road  by  laying  down 
blocks  of  stone  to  form  a  track  for  the  passage  of  vehicles. 

An  act  authorizing  the  removal  of  the  bulkhead  in  the 
Albany  basin. 

An  act  incorporating  the  Orphan  Asylum. 

May  12.  Isaac  Jenkins,  engineer  of  the  steam  boat 
Ohio,  died  in  New  York,  aged  59.  He  assisted  in  build- 
ing the  engine  of  the  North  River,  the  first  steam  boat 
engine  made. 

May  15.     Peter  Edmund  Elmendorf  died,  aged  70. 

May  16.     Hannah  R.  Morgan  died,  aged  27. 

May  25.  The  steam  boat  Robert  L.  Stephens,  thought 
at  the  time  to  be  the  perfection  of  a  steam  boat  model, 
began  to  ply  on  the  river. 

The  infant  schools  were  suspended,  and  the  managers 
of  the  society  gave  notice  that  if  sufficient  funds  were  not 
provided  within  one  month,  they  would  be  permanently 
discontinued. 

Edward  Artcher  contracted  to  furnish  the  city  with 
oil  at  80  cts.  a  gallon. 


244  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1835. 

May  27.  The  Graham  Garden  on  Arbor  Hill  was 
sold  by  Davis  &  Gill,  in  lots,  for  $9,975,  by  auction. 

May  31.  Wm.  Snell  died,  aged  34. 

June  1.  The  Siamese  twins,  Chang  and  Eng,  made 
their  first  appearance  in  Albany  at  the  Museum.  They 
were  at  this  time  18  years  of  age. 

June  2.  Mademoiselle  Celeste  made  her  appearance 
at  the  Theatre. 

June  8.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  the 
inspectors  of  the  special  election  held  for  the  choice  of 
an  alderman  in  the  Second  ward  (Aldermen  Wasson 
and  Judson  haying  received  335  votes  each),  reported 
that  there  were  725  votes  given,  of  which  James  D. 
Wasson  had  370  and  Ichabod  L.  Judson,  355. 

The  attorney  made  a  report  of  the  litigation  had  with 
the  Water  works  company  for  the  several  dividends  due 
to  the  board,  which  the  company  withheld;  a  verdict  had 
been  rendered  in  favor  of  the  board. 

Also  in  relation  to  the  square  to  be  opened  between 
Pine  and  Steuben  streets,  he  reported  that  the  Water 
works  company  owned  a  lot  in  the  contemplated  square, 
which  they  held  the  board  had  no  power  to  take  from 
them.  The  estimated  cost  of  this  improvement  was 
$18,000.  The  wooden  buildings  on  the  premises  were 
ordered  to  be  removed  within  thirty  days. 

Tne  plot  of  ground,  corner  of  Hudson  and  Liberty 
streets,  was  ordered  to  be  enclosed,  and  $250  appropriated 
for  the  improvement. 

The  sum  of  $250  was  appropriated  to  the  celebration 
of  the  fourth  of  July. 

It  was  also  decided  to  ring  the  Middle  Dutch  Church 
bell  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

June  11.     William  N.  Capron  died,  aged  47. 

June  13.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  Clinton  furnace, 
belonging  to  T.  Towers,  corner  of  Beaver  and  Hallen- 
bake  streets,  which  was  burnt  down,  as  well  as  the  bell 
foundery  of  Lewis  Aspinwall,  and  several  other  buildings. 

June  18.     Mrs.  Mary  Cameron  died,  aged  53. 

June  22.  The  name  of  Store  lane  was  changed  to 
Norton  street. 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  245 

June  25.     William  Groesbeeck  died,  aged  53. 

July  2.  "William  Morgan  of  Albany  died  at  Buffalo, 
aged  58. 

July  6.     Lloyd  Howard  died,  aged  40. 

July  16.  Samuel  Townsend  died,  of  the  firm  of  Town- 
send  &  Shields. 

July  17.     Mrs.  Catharine  Fitzsimmons  died,  aged  67. 

July  20.     Daniel  Quidley  died,  aged  40. 

July  22.     Patrick  Cassidy  died,  aged  48. 

July  25.  The  Zodiac,  a  literary  periodical,  was  pub- 
lished by  Erastus  Perry.  Jts  principal  contributors  were 
S.  D.  W.  Bloodgood,  James  Eights,  H.  V.  Du  Coudray 
Holstein,  &c. 

July  29.  Andrew  A.  De  Witt,  formerly  of  Ulster 
county,  died,  aged  74. 

July  30.     Solomon  W.  Southwick  died,  aged  32. 

Aug.  3.  The  common  council  appointed  a  committee 
to  inquire  into  the  expediency  and  expense  of  translating 
the  city  records  from  the  Dutch. 

Aug.  8.  Abigail,  wife  of  Calvert  Chad  wick,  died, 
aged  34. 

Aug.  13.     William  Weston  died,  aged  72. 
Mathew  Kugler  died,  aged  78. 

Aug.  14.     Jacob  J.  Miller  died,  aged  53. 

Aug.  21.     Jeremiah  Waterman  died,  aged  45. 

Aug.  24.  Almira,  wife  of  Thomas  P.  Crook,  died, 
aged  18. 

Aug.  4.  A  meeting  of  ministers  and  laymen  was 
held  in  the  Pearl  street  Baptist  church  for  the  purpose 
of  organizing  a  City  Tract  Society.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Welch 
was  called  to  the  chairj  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirk  chosen  secre- 
tary, and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Campbell  opened  the  meeting 
with  prayer.  A  constitution  was  adopted,  and  the  follow- 
ing officers  elected: 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  president. 

Friend  Humphrey,  Israel  Smith  and  John  Woodworth, 
vice  presidents. 

E.  H.  Pease,  secretary. 

Ezekiel  C.  Mclntosh,  treasurer. 


246  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1835. 

Rev.  Mr.  Vermilye,  Teunis  Van  Vechten,  Rev.  Isaac 
Ferris,  Wm.  McElroy,  Rev.  Mr.  Holmes,  E.  S.  Herrick, 
Rev.  Dr.  Welch,  Ira  Harris,  Rev.  G.  B.  Ide,  J.  G.  Was- 
son,  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague,  James  Brown,  Rev.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell, Israel  Williams,  Isaac  Hand,  Rev.  Mr.  Kirk, 
Lambert  Norton,  managers. 

Aug.  26.      Mrs.  Mary  Cummings  died,  aged  63. 

Sept.  4.  Guy  Arms  died,  aged  47.  He  came  to  this 
city  from  Greenfield,  Mass. 

Sept.  8.  The  annual  sabbath  school  celebration  took 
place,  when  between  three  and  four  thousand  children 
gathered  in  the  Capitol  park.  The  schools  from  that 
part  of  the  city  south  of  State  street,  marched  in  proces- 
sion under  Philip  Phelps,  through  several  of  the  streets 
to  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  where  an  address  was 
delivered  by  the  Rev,  Dr.  Ferris.  Those  on  the  north 
of  State  street  were  under  the  direction  of  Thomas  Mc- 
Elroy, and  were  addressed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vermilye  in 
the  North  Methodist  church. 

Sept.  10.     Michael  Leyne  died,  aged  45. 

Sept.  16.  Eliza,  wife  of  George  C.  Watson,  died, 
aged  38. 

Sept.  19.  Ann  Eliza,  wife  of  Simeon  M.  Tenant, 
died,  aged  25. 

Sept.  20.  Daniel  Shields,  a  soldier  of  the  revolution, 
died,  aged  70. 

Sept.  22.     Barent  Van  Loon  died,  aged  42. 

Sept.  23.  The  North  America,  Capt.  Lathrop,  arrived 
from  New  York  in  10  hours,  7  minutes,  and  made  the 
usual  mail  and  passenger  landings. 

The  steam  boat  North  America  made  the  passage  up 
from  New  York  in  8  h.  41  m.,  running  time. 

The  Robert  L.  Stephens  made  the  passage  in  10  hours 
also,  including  twelve  landings. 

The  number  of  landings  made  by  the  North  America 
was  15,  which  occupied  1  h.  16  m.jtime  of  running, 
8  h.  44  m. 

Sept.  26.    The  Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing  died  at  Tappan, 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  247 

aged  87.     He  was  a  native  of  Albany,  and  studied  under 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Westerlo. 

Sept.  28.  The  common  council  appropriated  half  the 
expense  of  enclosing  a  plot  of  ground  on  Lydius  street, 
between  Eagle  and  Philip,  provided  the  amount  did  not 
exceed  $1,000,  and  the  remainder  was  raised  by  subscrip- 
tion. 

The  chamberlain  was  directed  to  pay  on  the  warrant 
of  the  mayor,  $10,000  for  the  improvement  of  the  naviga- 
tion of  the  river  below  the  city. 

Peter  V.  Shankland  was, unanimously  reelected  cham- 
berlain for  the  ensuing  year. 

Sept.  30.  Benjamin  Gilbert  died,  aged  42. 
October.  There  had  been  for  some  time  an  unusual 
mortality  at  the  Almshouse.  Dr.  John  W.  Hinkley,  the 
physician,  stated  that  in  1832,  Peter  P.  Staats  physician, 
the  number  of  admissions  was  583;  deaths  100.  In  1833 
the  number  of  admissions  was  605;  deaths  136,  Samuel 
Shaw  physician.  In  1834,  John  W.  Hinkley  physician, 
number  of  admissions  677 ;  deaths  90.  In  1835,  to  Octo- 
ber 1,  admissions  391,  deaths  66. 

Oct.  12.     The  first  penny  paper  was  published  in  this 
city  by  C.  F.  Powell  &  Co.,  called  The  Albany  Transcript. 
Oct.  13.     The  president  and  directors  of  the  Commer- 
cial Bank  stated  that  the  defalcations  of  Henry  Bartow, 
the  absconded  cashier,  were  less  than  $130,000;  that  an 
unimpaired  capital  of  $249,263,  including  earnings,  re- 
mained, and  assured  the  public  that  loss  could  fall  only 
upon  the  stockholders,  as  by  the  charter  of  the  bank, 
they  were  liable  to  the  public  in  the  sum  of  $600,000. 
Oct.  17.     Mary  Welden  died,  aged  45. 
Chester  Judd  died,  aged  45. 

Oct.  19.  William  McDougall,  formerly  of  Albany, 
died  in  New  York,  aged  44. 

Oct.  21.  The  steam  boat,  Champlain,  Capt.  Gorham, 
arrived  from  New  York  at  4  h.  21  m.  p.  m.  having  made 
the  passage  in  8  h.  45J  m.,  running  time.  On  the  23d 
the  Champlain  made  the  trip  in  9  h.  31  m.  including  16 
landings. 


248  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  18 

Oct.  23.     James  Walsh  died. 

William  M.  Soulden  died,  aged  20. 
Oct.  26.     Judge  Sutherland  resigned  his  office  as  judge 
of  the  Supreme  court,  for  that  of  clerk  of  the  same  court, 
which  was  better  paid. 

Oct.  27.  Arrived  at  the  Museum  the  famous  Joice 
Heth,  said  to  have  been  the  nurse  of  Gen.  Washington, 
and  at  tnis  time  161  years  of  age. 

The  county  clerk  reported  the  population  of  the  city, 
according  to  the  returns  of  the  canvassers,  as  follows : 
Males,         13,712 
Females,     14,373 

28,085 

Number  of  voters,  4,489.  Population  in  1830,  24,209. 
Gain  in  five  years,  3,386.  Population  of  the  county, 
59,762. 

Oct.  29.  A  house  owned  by  Charles  Chapman,  at  the 
rail  road  junction,  nearly  two  miles  west  of  the  Capitol, 
was  burnt,  together  with  a  barn,  in  which  500  bushels 
of  onions  were  roasted. 

The  copartnership  of  Lewis  C.  Beck  and  Mathew 
Henry  Webster,  in  the  business  of  enameling  hollow 
ware,  was  dissolved. 

Nov.  2.     James  Martin  died,  aged  75. 

Nov.  4.  The  election  for  members  of  assembly  was 
as  follows: 

DEMOCRATIC.  WHIG. 

First  Ward,  Wm.  Seymour,  379  Friend  Humphrey,  465 
Second  Ward,  do          318  do  287 

Third  Ward,  do          227  do  352 

Fourth  Ward,  do         444  do  371 

Fifth  Ward,  do         241  do  252 

1609  1727 

The  majorities  from  the  county  elected  Mr.  Seymour* 
whose  vote  was  3,888  against  3 ,620  for  Mr.  Humphrey. 
Mr.  Seymour,  who  had  been  twelve  years  in  the  board  of 
common  council,  was  now  transferred  to  the  legislature. 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  249 

Nov.  9.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of 
ordering  a  new  census.  There  was  universal  dissatisfac- 
tion with  the  returns  of  the  canvassers. 

The  superintendent  of  the  Almshouse  reported  the 
expenses  of  the  last  quarter,  $2,595'25;  receipts  for 
labor,  &c.,  $425;  number  of  inmates,  250. 

Nov.  11.  The  Chinese  girl,  Afong  Moy,  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  curious  at  the  Museum,  by  the  exhibition 
of  her  foot,  and  the  mode  of  bandaging  and  crushing  by 
which  small  feet  are  produced  in  China. 

Nov.  12.  Maria,  wife  of  Dr.  Charles  D.  Townsend, 
died,  aged  48. 

Nov.  13.     The   hat   factory   of  Edward   S.    Willett, 
corner  of   Green  and   Bassett  streets,  was   burnt.     He 
was  the  first  to  commence  the  manufacture  of  silk  hats 
in  this  city.     To  show  that  Mr,  Willett  was  not  alone  a 
man  of  fur  merely,  but  also  a  poet,  his  advertisement  is 
introduced.     As  a  man  of  law  he  can  speak  for  himself. 
If  e'er  a  man  in  earnest  sought 
To  make  a  hat  as  workmen  ought, 
Substantial,  and  with  beauty  fraught, 

'Tis  Willett. 

And  well  may  he  take  pains  to  please, 
When  hosts  of  Fashion's  devotees 
Are  daily  swarming  in  like  bees, 

At  Willett's. 

Hundreds  and  hundreds  who've  surveyed 
The  hats  in  other  stores  displayed, 
Have  left  them  all  and  come  to  trade 

At  Willett's. 

Ask  the  genteel  where'er  you  go, 
Who  made  that  elegant  chapeau? 
And  ten  to  one  he'll  say,  I  trow, 

'Twas  Willett. 

Who  showed  those  hats,  so  rich  and  rare, 
That  took  the  prize  twice  at  the  fair, 
Causing  the  craft  to  wince  and  stare? 

'Twas  Willett. 

The  Eagle  with  the  hat  that  won 
The  prize  that  dimm'd  a  certain  St*n, 
Displays  a  taste  that's  touch'd  by  none 
But  Willett. 

[Annals,  x.]  22 


250  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1835. 

Nov.  15.     First  fall  of  snow. 

Nov.  19.  Asahel  Clark,  of  the  firm  of  Rawdon, 
Clark  &  Co.,  engravers,  died  suddenly  near  Columbus, 
Ohio,  while  apparently  in  good  health,  and  riding  on  a 
stage  coach. 

Nov.  23.  The  finance  committee  proposed  to  raise 
$38,000  by  tax  for  the  city  expenses  for  the  ensuing 
year,  which  were  estimated  as  follows: 

For  the  lamps, $6,000 

watch, 7,000 

city  debt, 5,000 

contingent  fund, 20,000 

On  motion  of  Alderman  Seymour  the  salaries  of  the 
night  watch  were  increased  to  $1  a  night. 

Nov.  29.  The  river  closed,  leaving  a  great  number 
of  vessels  laden  with  produce  for  New  York,  winter 
bound.  An  unusual  number  of  boats  were  frozen  in 
along  the  whole  extent  of  the  canal. 

Nov.  30.  Margaretta,  widow  of  John  Hooghkirk,  died, 
aged  82. 

The  whole  number  of  boats  that  arrived  at  and  depart- 
ed from  Albany  by  canal,  was  10,960;  amount  of  tolls 
collected,  $357,565*26. 

Dec.  6.     John  De  Witt  died,  aged  31. 

Dec.  7.  Captain  Stephen  Stilwell,  of  the  ship  Rosalie, 
died  off  Cape  Horn,  aged  35;  son  of  the  late  William 
Stilwell  of  this  city. 

Dec.  11.  Cornelia,  wife  of  Samuel  H.  Stewart,  died, 
aged  24. 

Dec.  13.    Lucy,  wife  of  Sylvester  Wilcox,  died,  aged  55. 

Dec.  14.    Lucy  Jacobs  died,  aged  67. 

Sleighs  loaded  with  merchandise  left  this  city  for  Buf- 
falo; a  thing  of  rare  occurrence  since  the  completion  of 
the  canal. 

Dec.  16     Cold  day;  thermometer  12  deg.  below  zero. 

Dec.  17.     John  Van  Zandt  died,  aged  32. 

Dec.  18.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  hat  store  of  Winne 
&  Nelson,  and  destroyed  the  building  corner  of  South 
Market  and  Hamilton  streets,  known  as  the  Connecticut 


1835.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  251 

Coffee  House,  owned  by  Smith  Weed.  The  stores  of  A. 
G.  Hindman,  Levi  Phillips  and  E.  S.  Willett,  were  also 
burnt. 

At  the  same  time  a  sloop  was  burnt  in  the  basin. 

Dec.  21.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  Erastus 
Corning  was  reelected  mayor  by  10  votes;  Francis  Blood- 
good  received  8. 

Dec.  22.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Capi- 
tol to  take  into  consideration  the  recent  calamitous  fire 
in  New  York.  Erastus  Corning  was  appointed  chairman. 
Among  other  things  it  was  resolved  to  send  an  expression 
of  sympathy  to  the  sufferers,  and  to  assure  them  of  the 
cordiality  with  which  Albany  would  contribute  her  ef- 
forts toward  the  accomplishment  of  measures  of  relief, 
and  the  adoption  of  such  other  steps  as  the  occasion 
might  demand. 

The  mean  temperature  in  1834  was  49  deg. 

1835    "    46  deg. 

1836. 

Jan.  1.  The  common  council  assembled  at  the  City 
Hall  and  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  to  Hon. 
Erastus  Corning  by  the  recorder,  James  McKown.  Mr. 
Corning  made  an  address  on  the  occasion,  alluding  to  the 
transactions  of  the  board  during  the  past  year;  the  con- 
solidation of  the  elections  by  which  the  members  of  the 
board  were  now  chosen  with  the  town  officers  annually 
in  the  spring;  the  equalization  of  the  wards:  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  rates  of  ferriage  at  the  Greenbush  ferry  from 
33  to  50  per  cent;  the  improvements  in  the  basin;  the 
improvements  being  made  by  the  government  in  the 
river;  the  improvement  in  the  city  finances,  by  which 
the  city  debt  had  been  reduced  $65,000  in  two  years,  and 
of  nearly  $269,000  due  in  1817,  but  $95,000  remained  to 
be  liquidated.  He  called  attention  to  the  importance  of 
supplying  the  city  with  pure  water;  of  establishing 
grades  between  Eagle  and  Lark  streets;  to  the  near  com- 
pletion of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  rail  road  as  a 


252  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

source  of  increased  business  to  the  city,  and  the  prospect 
of  an  uninterrupted  rail  road  track  to  Buffalo;  and  to 
the  great  importance  of  a  rail  road  to  connect  with  the 
Boston  road  at  Stockbridge. 

Jan.  8.  A  fire  destroyed  Parson's  carpenter  shop  in 
Montgomery  street. 

Jan.  9.     Lucy,  wife  of  Aaron  Brown,  died,  aged  59. 

Jan.  15.     Ann,  wife  of  Adam  Kittle,  died,  aged  20. 

Jan.  18.     Daniel  Wilcox  died,  aged  41. 

Jan.  20.  Nancy  Eliza,  wife  of  Stephen  Wilson,  died, 
aged  41. 

Jan.  21.     Barney  E.  Evertsen  died,  aged  37. 

Jan.  25.     Francis  G.  Roberts  died,  aged  36. 

Jan.  26.     John  A.  Van  Allen  died,  aged  43. 

Peter  Hilton  died  in  Guilderland,  aged  92. 
He  was  born  in  Albany  in  1744,  and  resided  here  84 
years. 

Jan.  27.     George  Artcher  died,  aged  43. 

Margaret  Ann,  wife  of  Jotham  Hancock, 
died,  aged  40. 

Jan.  28.  A  tallow  chandlery  was  burnt  in  Orange 
street;  loss  about  $1,400.  It  was  owned  by  Patrick 
Murphy. 

Jan.  31.     Philip  Hooker  died,  aged  69. 

An  organ  was  procured  for  St.  Peter's  church  about 
this  time,  and  the  interior  of  the  church  much  beautified 
and  improved. 

Hon.  Myndert  Van  Schaick,  at  this  time  state  senator 
from  New  York,  made  a  donation  of  $500  to  the  Third 
Dutch  church  of  this  city.  Mr.  Van  Schaick  was  a  son 
of  Col.  Gosen  Van  Schaick,  and  born  in  this  city. 

A  large  number  of  sleighs  were  employed  by  the  cor- 
poration in  taking  the  snow  out  of  the  narrow  streets, 
in  which  it  lay  from  4  to  6  feet  in  depth. 

Feb.  1.  The  clerk  of  the  common  council,  R.  W. 
Peckham,  resigned  the  office,  and  Peter  Carmichael  was 
elected. 

The  number  of  paupers  in  the  Almshouse  was  340, 
being  100  less  than  the  year  before. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  253 

Estimates  and  surveys  were  being  made  with  a  view 
to  the  construction  of  a  bridge  over  the  Hudson.  Also 
for  a  canal  from  Schenectady  direct  to  Albany. 

Feb.  2.     Mrs.  Lyntie  Douw  died,  aged  66. 

Feb.  3.  A  convention  met  to  nominate  Gen.  Harrison 
for  the  presidency. 

Feb.  4.  Isaac  D.  Verplanck  died  at  Coeymans,  aged 
77.  He  was  formerly  one  of  the  judges  of  the  common 
pleas  of  Albany  county.  Although  a  youth  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  was  on  duty, 
and  entitled  to  a  pension, «but  declined  applying  for  it, 
saying  that  the  services  he  had  rendered  had  been  amply 
rewarded  by  the  enjoyment  of  a  free  government  for 
more  than  fifty  years.  Major  Verplanck  and  six  of  his 
townsmen,  built  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  at  Coej- 
mans  at  their  own  expense,  of  which  he  was  a  member, 
and  elder  until  age  induced  him  to  resign  his  place.  He 
was  the  last  survivor  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Coey- 
man's  patent. 

Feb.  8.  Prudence,  wife  of  Seth  Crapo,  died,  aged  40. 
James  Puddy  died. 

Feb.  9.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  rear  of  Stark's  New 
England  Tavern,  opposite  the  steam  boat  landing;  which 
was  extinguished  with  little  damage. 

William  Thomas  died,  aged  38;  late  of  Philadelphia. 

Feb.  10.  William  Duffy,  manager  of  the  Albany  The- 
atre, was  fatally  stabbed  by  one  of  his  actors,  John 
Hamilton,  who  was  arrested  and  held  to  bail  in  $2,000. 

Feb.  11.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  dwelling  of  James 
Maher,  which  was  consumed,  with  most  of  the  furniture 
and  a  trunk  containing  ^350. 

A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  City  Hall,  Eras- 
tus  Corning  in  the  chair,  to  consider  the  project  of  a 
bridge  at  Albany.  They  resolved  that  fehe  ferries  were 
inadequate  to  the  wants  of  the  public,  and  that  the-  com- 
mon council  be  requested  to  memorialize  the  legislature 
in  favor  of  this  great  city  measure. 

Feb.  16.  The  firm  of  Benedict  &  Roby  was  changed 
so  as  to  admit  Spencer  S.  Benedict. 


254  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

Feb.  18.  The  leather  store  of  Jared  Holt  took  fire, 
and  communicating  with  the  adjoining  buildings,  caused 
a  great  deal  of  damage.  The  thermometer  was  18  deg. 
below  zero,  and  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that 
the  hose  could  be  prevented  from  freezing.  The  loss 
was  about  $15,000. 

Feb.  19.  Rev.  William  Linn  Keese,  formerly  rector 
of  St.  Paul's  church  in  this  city,  died  at  Cuba,  whither 
he  had  gone  for  his  health,  aged  33. 

Feb.  22.  Mrs.  Catharine  Darling  died,  aged  46,  and 
was  buried  from  the  house  of  William  Gould  in  State 
street. 

Feb.  23.     Ezra  Ames  died,  aged  68. 

Feb.  26.     John  Van  Schoonhoven  died,  aged  42. 

Feb.  28.     Sarah,  daughter  of  Wm.  Risk,  died, aged  22. 

March  1.  Caroline  E.,  daughter  of  Amiel  Barnard, 
died,  aged  25. 

Hon.  Alfred  Conkling  published  an  educational  work, 
called  The  Young  Citizen's  Manual. 

March  2.     Mrs.  Maria  Gaffers  died,  aged  79. 

March  3.  John  Brower,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  in 
New  York,  aged  48. 

March  5.  The  firm  of  Wilder,  Hastings  &  Co.  was 
dissolved,  consisting  of  Ephraim  Wilder,  Seth  Hastings, 
Jason  Paige  and  John  P.  Cassidy. 

John  N.  Wilder  and  William  E.  Bleecker  formed  a 
partnership  in  business  as  wholesale  dry  goods  mer- 
chants at  the  old  stand  of  Wilder  &  Hastings,  corner  of 
State  and  Green  streets. 

March  6.  Maria,  widow  of  the  late  William  Morgan, 
died. 

March  8.     Joseph  R.  Van  Zandt  died,  aged  64. 

March  11.  The  assembly  committee  reported  against 
a  bridge  across  the  Hudson  at  this  city.  A  writer  in  the 
Journal  attributed  the  result  principally  to  the  joint 
efforts  of  the  recorder,  James  McKown,  and  John  N. 
Quackenbush,  and  stated  further,  that  Mr.  Quackenbush 
was  the  vehement  opposer  of  the  Erie  canal,  its  termina- 
tion at  Albany,  the  building  of  the  pier,  and  other  similar 
innovations. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  255 

March  1 1.  Willard  H.  Walker  died,  aged  29. 
March  12.  William  Puffy,  manager  of  the  Albany 
Theatre,  who  had  been  stabbed  by  tfohn  Hamilton,  died 
of  the  wound,  aged  33.  Mr.  Duffy  was  a  native  of  Al- 
bany, and  had  been  an  early  companion  of  Edwin  Forrest, 
whose  friendship  he  always  retained  and  reciprocated. 
In  the  capacity  of  manager  he  displayed  an  activity  and 
enterprise  which  gave  a  high  character  to  the  Albany 
Theatre.  His  perseverance  under  discouragements,  suf- 
ficient to  have  overcome  most  men,  and  a  judicious  hus- 
bandry of  the  means  which  favorable  seasons  gave  him, 
enabled  him  to  manage  successfully,  and  with  profit  to 
himself  and  the  public,  an  establishment  in  which  we 
believe  every  one  of  his  predecessors  had  failed.  As  an 
actor  he  was  entitled  to  a  high  rank,  though  his  business 
engagements  necessarily  prevented  the  closet  preparation 
which  has  been  pronounced  necessary  to  histrionic  excel- 
lence. Many  of  his  efforts,  notwithstanding,  evinced  a 
vigorous  and  a  polished  genius,  and  in  some  characters 
in  the  highest  walks  of  the  drama,  he  was  acknowledged 
to  be  unsurpassed.  As  a  citizen  he  was  public  spirited 
and  upright:  as  a  man,  high  minded,  social  and  benevo- 
lent. Although  young,  his  professional  reputation  stood 
high  in  other  cities,  and  he  was  for  a  number  of  years 
a  manager  jointly  with  William  Forest,  of  a  theatre  in 
Philadelphia. — Argus. 

The  Albany  Bethel  Union  society  was  formed,  with 
the  view  of  furnishing  the  means  of  moral  and  religious 
improvement  to  boatmen  and  sailors,  in  providing  for 
them  a  house  of  worship,  and  the  stated  ministration  of 
the  gospel.  The  first  officers  were  the  following: 

Stephen  Van  Eensselaer,  president. 

Erastus  Corning,  vice  president. 

Nathaniel  Davis,  do 

W.  S.  Rossiter,  secretary. 

William  Adams,  treasurer. 

Thaddeus  Joy,  Levi  Chapman,  Horace  Meech,  Thomas 
McElroy,  C.  A.  Keeler,  F.  J.  Barnard,  Isaac  P.  Hand,  E. 
S.  Herrick,  and  William  Stead,  directors. 


256  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

March  13.  The  Green  street  Baptist  church,  which 
had  been  injured  by  the  recent  heavy  snows,  was  re- 
paired, and  open  on  fhis  day  for  service. 

March  17.  Hannah,  wife  of  Col.  Wm.  Leavenworth, 
died,  aged  79. 

The  infant  schools,  which  had  been  closed  in  May  last 
for  want  of  funds,  were  opened  again  in  August,  and  at 
this  time  had  nearly  400  inmates.  .  The  expenses  were 
a  little  short  of  $1,000,  towards  which  there  was  a  per- 
manent fund  of  $200.  A  call  was  made  upon  the  benevo- 
lent in  their  behalf. 

March  19.  There  were  four  fires  on  this  day;  Thomas's 
American  Hotel  in  State  street,  damage  slight;  Many's 
furnace  in  Beaver  street;  Stephen  Rider's  carpenter  shop 
in  Dean  street;  and  the  house,  corner  of  Lodge  street 
and  Maiden  lane. 

March  24.  Abraham  Ehle  died  in  New  York,  of  the 
late  firm  of  Young  &  Ehle,  at  58  State  street. 

March  27.  The  stages  still  ran  to  Poughkeepsie  on 
the  ice. 

March  28.  The  common  council  closed  the  doors  of 
the  old  Lancaster  School.  Since  the  introduction  of  the 
common  school  system,  the  number  of  scholars  had 
greatly  decreased,  and  it  was  found  that  they  might  be 
accommodated  in  cheaper  quarters.  In  the  course  of 
debate  it  was  stated  that  education  at  the  Lancaster 
school  was  cheaper  than  at  the  district  schools,  and  that 
upwards  of  10,000  boys,  many  of  whom  had  grown  up 
to  great  respectability,  had  there  been  initiated  in  the 
rudiments  of  learning.  The  establishment  of  a  medical 
college  and  of  a  normal  school,  was  contemplated  at  this 
time,  and  the  Lancaster  school  building  was  looked  upon 
as  a  suitable  edifice  for  one  or  the  other  of  them. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  determined  to  open  a  space 
in  the  pier  between  the  Columbia  and  State  street  bridges. 
Also  to  allow  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  rail  road  to  con- 
tinue their  track  from  Gansevoort  street  north  to  Ferry 
street.  There  was  a  strong  opposition  by  the  property 
holders  in  the  south  part  of  the  city  to  have  the  rail  road 
brought  through  their  streets. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  257 

The  Rev.  Isaac  Ferris,  having  resigned  his  pastoral 
relation  over  the  Middle  Dutch  church,  also  resigned  the 
trusteeship  of  the  Female  Academy. 

Mr.  Bloodgood  reported  to  the  common  council  in 
favor  of  translating  the  Dutch  records. 

April  1.     Mrs.  Anne  Lewis  died,  aged  73. 

Homer  Preston,  formerly  one  of  the  firm  of  A.  &  H. 
Preston,  of  the  Albany  City  Coffee  House,  died  at  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  aged  43. 

April  6.  Joel  B.  Nott,  James  Vanderpoel,  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer,  Jr.,  James  Stephenson  and  John  Town- 
send,  president  and  directors  of  the  Albany  Tunnel  com- 
pany, gave  notice  that  books  .would  be  opened  on  the 
10th  May  for  subscriptions  to  the  stock  of  the  company. 

Susan,  daughter  of  the  late  Robert  Cameron,  died  in 
New  York,  aged  26. 

April  9.    Zipporah,  widow  of  Ezra  Ames,  died,  aged  61. 

April  10.  The  Emerald  steam  boat  arrived  from  New 
York,  the  first  boat  of  the  season. 

Hannah,  wife  of  George  Hepinstall,  died. 

An  application  was  made  before  the  legislature  for  the 
incorporation  of  a  medical  college. 

April  13.     Daniel  Wood  died,  aged  71. 

April  17.     Mrs.  Ann  Christie  died,  aged  67. 

Martha,  widow  of  George  Gill,  died,  aged  59. 

April  25.  William  Mascraft  resigned  the  office  of 
city  superintendent. 

April  26.     Malcom  Jamieson  died,  aged  21. 

Hannah  D.,  wife  of  Lyman  T.  Doty,  died, 
aged  28. 

April  27.     John  Waddell  died,  aged  37. 

April  30.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  old  City  Hall,  corner 
of  South  Market  and  Hudson  streets,  which  so  completely 
damaged  it  that  it  was  soon  after  pulled  down. 

May  3.     James  Harris  died. 

May  5.  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer  died  at  Marietta, 
Ohio. 

May  10.     Amos  F.  Van  Buskirk  died,  aged  28. 

The  subscription  books  were  opened  for  the  tunnel. 


258  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

It  was  proposed  to  make  an  experiment  of  100  feet, 
which  would  cost  by  estimate  $30,000.  Half  the  capital 
stock  was  taken  in  small  sums,  and  the  remainder  by 
capitalists. 

The  Albany  Mutual  Insurance  company  was  formed, 
Dr.  Barent  B.  Staats  president. 

May  11.     Benjamin  V.  Clench  died,  aged  74. 

May  17.     Mrs.  Mary  Carter  died,  aged  56. 

Ammon  Rasey,  keeper  of  the  Rising  Sun 
tavern,  in  South  Pearl  street,  died. 

May  19.  A  fire  in  North  Market  street  destroyed 
three  buildings  adjoining  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers 
Bank,  namely:  the  fur  stores  of  Packer,  Prentice  &  Co. 
and  George  C.  Tread  well,  and  the  looking  glass  store  of 
Mr.  Belknap. 

In  digging  to  make  improvements  in  the  north  area  of 
the  Second  Dutch  church  on  Beaver  street,  a  number 
of  grave  stones  were  thrown  out,  among  which  were  the 
two  following,  the  first  being  that  of  the  second  mayor  of 
the  city.  (See  Annals,  vol.  1,  p.  152.) 

Here  lies  the  body  of  John  Abeel  who  departed  this  life  ye  28  day 
of  Jan'y,  1711,  and  in  the  44  year  of  his  age. 
Dient  begin  van  wel  te  leven 
Uyt  den  Hemel  was  gegeven 
Gingh  der  weer  den  Hemel  waert 
Storf  maer  verliet  de  aert. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Jeremiah  Field,  deceased  Oct.  16,  1762,  aged 
32  years. 

May  20.     James  Lloyd  died,  aged  31. 
May  21.     John  Williamson  died,  aged  86. 
May  23.     James  McLaughlin  died,  aged  31. 

Bethiah,  wife  of  Joshua  Welden,  died,  aged 

79. 

May  26.  The  legislature  adjourned,  having  been  in 
session  143  days. 

Subscriptions  were  open  for  building  the  Albany  Ex- 
change. 

May  29.     Hugh  McGrath  died. 

Timothy  Hays  died,  aged  50. 
June  2.     Elizabeth,  widow  of  Benjamin  Gilbert,died. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  259 

June  1 1 .     Eliza  Ann,  wife  of  J.  F.  Shaw,  died,  aged  36. 

June  13.  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  old  Pye  tavern  on 
the  Watervliet  turnpike,  which  nearly  destroyed  that 
famous  edifice. 

June  14.     Caroline  M.  Phelps  died,  aged  21. 

Sarah,  wife  of  J.  Mortimer,  died,  aged  26. 

Michael  Cagger  died  in  Liverpool,  England,  aged  27. 

June,  17.  The  Rev.  Charles  Smith  having  taken  leave 
of  St.  Mary's  church,  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was 
called,  over  which  Peter  C.  Doyle  presided,  at  which 
complimentary  resolutions  were  passed. 

Christiana,  wife  of  J.  Bogart,  died,  aged  62. 

June  18.     A  fire  destroyed  two  houses  in  Swan  street. 

June  20.  Petitions  were  presented  to  the  common 
council  for  widenir-g  Exchange  street ;  for  a  temporary 
bridge  at  the  foot  of  Hamilton  street;  for  increased  pay 
of  the  tell  ringer  of  the  Presbyterian  church;  of  E.  H. 
Pease  and  D.  Campbell,  teachers  of  the  African  school, 
complaining  of  being  turned  out  of  their  room  by  the 
military  companies  occupying  the  Lancasterian  school 
house. 

Resolutions  were  passed  to  remove  buildings  for  the 
widening  of  Church  street;  appropriating  $250  for  the 
celebration  of  the  4th  of  July;  offered  by  James  Maher 
authorizing  the  police  justice  to  employ  four  constables 
at  $1*50  a  day,  to  keep  the  peace  on  Sundays — he  attrib- 
uted all  the  disorders  on  the  Sabbath  to  the  retailing  of 
liquors  in  the  groceries;  about  the  city's  authorizing  the 
enclosure  of  the  Pottersfield;  inquiring  into  the  expediency 
of  widening  Maiden  lane  on  the  north  side  from  Market 
street  to  the  City  Hall,  and  Middle  alley  on  the  west  side 
from  State  street  to  Maiden  lane;  by  the  recorder,  a  law 
permitting  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Jr.  to  make  an  experiment 
in  paving  North  Market  street  north  of  his  house. 

The  financial  condition  of  the  city  presented  the  follow- 
ing aspect: 
Bonds  due  the  commissioners  of  the  canal  fund 

at  5  per  cent, $75,000 

Bonds  to  St.  Peter's  church 5,000 


260                   Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

Temporary  loans, 42,500 

Award  Maiden  lane,  balance  due  Mary  Ganse- 

voort  and  Thomas  McElroy, 16,383 


$138,883 

Amount  due  to  the  city, $117,242-37 

Stocks  held, 43, 120*59 

—    160,362-96 


Balance  in  favor  of  the  city, $21 ,479-96 

June  21.  Two  two  story  buildings  were  burned  in 
Malcom  street. 

June  25.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  W.  Netterville, 
died,  aged  39. 

June  27.  Capt.  Samuel  Wiswall  died  in  New  York, 
aged  63,  and  was  buried  in  Hudson.  His  name  is  asso- 
ciated with  the  memory  of  Fulton  and  Livingston  in  the 
'navigation  of  the  Hudson  river  by  steam. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Ferris  of  the  Second  Dutch  church,  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  New  York,  and  Prof,  John  A.  Yates 
occupied  the  pulpit  temporarily. 

July  3.     Deborah  B.,  wife  of  John  A.  Wilson,  died. 

July  5.     Maria  Vandenbergh  died,  aged  101. 
^July  10.     Stephen  W.  Johnson  died  at  Detroit,  Mich. 

July  14.     Samuel  Payn  died,  aged  65. 

July  18.  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  Lawson  Annesley,  died, 
aged  29. 

The  common  council  ordered  Middle  lane  to  be  opened 
on  the  west  side  14  feet.  An  effort  was  made  to  have 
Maiden  lane  widened  by  taking  ground  on  the  north  side, 
from  North  Market,  to  North  Pearl  street,  but  it  was 
rejected. 

July  20.  Benjamin  Allen,  formerly  principal  of  the 
Albany  Academy,  died  at  Hyde  Park,  aged  65. 

Jacob  S.  Pruyn,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  at  Lafayette, 
Onondaga  county,  aged  72. 

July  21.     William  A.  Becker  died,  aged  56. 

July  27.     Douw  B.  Slingerland  died,  aged  55. 

Aug.  5.     Capt.  Stuart  Dean,  a  famous  Albany  navi 
gator,  died  in  New  York,  aged  90. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.*  261 

Aug.  18.  Catharine,  widow  of  John  Randel,  died, 
aged  75. 

Aug.  19.  Hannah,  wife  of  Rev.  Elias  Vanderlip,  died, 
aged  66. 

Aug.  20.  Mrs.  Gertrude  Tremper,  daughter  of  the 
late  Moses  Cantine,  died. 

The  common  council  was  petitioned  to  subscribe  to 
the  stock  of  the  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge  rail  road. 
Aldermen  Gibbons  and  Maher  thought  that  the  board 
should  deliberate  with  great  circumspection  upon  this 
subject  before  they  established  a  precedent. 

Harmanus  H.  Wendell  *died. 

Aug.  22.     Thomas  Hall  died,  aged  83. 

Royette,  wife  of  Patrick  McQuade,  died, 
aged  52. 

Aug.  23.     Lawrence  Connor  died,  aged  40. 

Aug.  25.  The  milkmen  held  a  convention  and  re- 
solved to  hold  milk  at  6  cents  a  quart  after  the  1st  of 
September. 

Sept.  1.  A  banner  was  presented  by  the  firemen  and 
citizens  of  Albany,  to  the  firemen  of  Greenbush  for  the 
alacrity  with  which  they  rallied  to  the  fire  in  State 
street  last  winter. 

Cecilia,  wife  of  William  Mitchell,  died,  aged  47. 

Sept.  2.     Asaph  Sykes  died,  aged  35. 
James  Wands  died,  aged  65. 
Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Carroll,  died,  aged  32. 

Sept.  11.  A  fire  destroyed  several  wooden  buildings 
on  the  corner  of  South  Pearl  and  Hudson  streets,  occu- 
pied as  a  grocery,  carpenter's  and  blacksmith's  shop. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  run  an  omnibus  through 
North  and  South  Market  streets,  by  Joseph  Webster,  but 
it  did  not  meet  with  patronage;  the  people  preferred  to 
walk  rather  than  ride  for  6  cents. 

Sept.  15.  Books  were  opened  for  subscriptions  to  the 
Hudson  River  rail  road. 

Sept.  25.  Edward  H.  Dunn  died  at  Little  Rock,  Ar- 
kansas. 

[Annals,  x.]  23 


262  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

Sept.  26.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  P.  V. 
Shankland  was  reelected  chamberlain.  Petitions  from 
a  large  number  of  citizens,  were  presented  asking  the 
board  to  subscribe  to  the  stock  of  the  Albany  and  West 
Stockbridge  rail  road.  The  committee  having  the  subject 
in  consideration,  reported  that  they  had  obtained  the 
opinions  of  Harmanus  Bleecker  and  James  McKown, 
who  concurred  with  them  that  the  board  had  power  to 
subscribe  for  and  hold  stock.  But  the  subject  was  again 
laid  upon  the  table,  with  a  view  of  obtaining  a  more  full 
expression  of  the  public  upon  it. 

Sept.  28.     Isaac  S.  Cuyler  died,  aged  35. 

Sept.  29.  The  new  steam  boat  Rhode  Island  made  her 
first  appearance  at  the  landing. 

John  Van  Ness  Yates  was  nominated  for  member  of 
assembly. 

Henry  W.  Delavan  died  at  Ballston,  aged  51. 

It  was  announced  that  the  Rev.  Isaac  N.  Wyckoff,  of 
Catskill,  had  accepted  the  call  from  the  Second  Dutch 
church  of  Albany,  to  become  its  pastor. 

Oct.  3.  A  fire  destroyed  a  wooden  building  in  South 
Market  street  below  the  steam  boat  landing. 

Oct.  4.  The  steam  boat  Swallow,  Capt.  McLean, 
made  her  first  appearance. 

William  A.  Gay  died,  aged  30. 

The  common  council,  by  a  vote  of  17  to  1,  resolved  to 
subscribe  $250,000  to  the  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge 
rail  road.  The  only  vote  in  the  negative  was  that  of 
Dr.  Bay. 

At  the  annual  election  of  the  Albany  Military  associa- 
tion the  following  officers  were  chosen: 

Lt.  Col.  John  B.  Van  Schaick,  president. 

Brig.  Gen.  J.  T.  B.  Van  Vechten,  vice  president. 

Major  Asa  Fassett,  do 

Lieut.  Volkert  Roth,  secretary. 

Major  William  Spencer,  judge  advocate. 

Capt.  W.  I.  Slingerland,  treasurer. 

Lieut.  Edward  M.  Teall,  auditor. 

Major  Edward  Frisbee.  adjutant. 

Aug.  16.     Mrs.  Lydia  Ryckman  died,  aged  99. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  263 

Oct.  5.     Miss  Tempe  Steele  died,  aged  76. 

Oct.  7.  Samuel  H.  Drake,  formerly  lessee  of  the 
American  Hotel,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he  was 
a  colonel  in  the  Texan  army  of  reserve. 

Oct.  8.  The  steam  boat  Swallow,  arrived  from  New 
York  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  having  made  the  pass- 
age in  8  h.  42  m.,  the  quickest  trip  on  record. 

Oct.  12.  A  fall  of  snow  sufficiently  damp  and  heavy 
to  break  down  the  branches  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees. 

Oct.  13.     Caroline,  wife  of  Caleb  N.  Bement,  died. 

Louisa,  widow  of  John  Van  Schoonlroven, 
died. 

Oct.  19.  Harriet,  wife  of  George  M.  Sayles,  died, 
aged  21. 

Oct.  28.     Helen,  wife  of  Samuel  Pruyn,  died,  aged  33. 

Oct.  31.     Charles  Knower  died,  aged  21. 

Nov.  1.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Albany  Exchange 
building  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  At  12 
o'clock,  noon,  after  an  appropriate  address  by  John  Q. 
Wilson,  one  of  the  trustees,  the  stone  was  deposited  in 
its  place,  with  the  customary  forms,  by  John  Townsend, 
president  of  the  board  of  trustees,  assisted  by  Joseph 
Russell,  chairman  of  the  building  committee,  and  by  Mr. 
Ruel  Clapp,  builder.  Upon  the  side  of  the  stone  was  a 
suitable  inscription,  and  within  it  was  placed  a  vase 
containing  the  current  coins,  a  copy  of  the  daily  news- 
papers, &c.,  and  a  scroll  containing  a  list  of  the  subscrib- 
ers to  the  stock,  367  in  number. 

The  steam  boats  Rochester  and  Swallow  left  New 
York  at  5  o'clock  p.  m.,  with  the  intention  of  reaching 
Albany  in  the  shortest  possible  time.  The  Rochester 
arrived  at  20  minutes  past  1,  having  performed  the  trip 
in  8  h.  20  m.  The  Swallow  broke  down  at  Coxsackie, 
when  she  was  about  6  m.  in  advance  of  the  Rochester. 

Nov.  2.     James  Gumming  died,  aged  70. 
Horace  Allen  died. 

Nov.  5.     Francis  Bryan  died,  aged  76. 

Nov.  10.  The  election  terminated  in  the  choice  of 
the  democratic  candidates. 


264  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

Nov.  15.  The  New  York  Express  was  enabled  to  give 
the  news  in  the  morning  from  the  Albany  Evening  Jour- 
nal of  the  evening  before,  by  the  great  speed  of  the 
steam  boat  Swallow.  This  was  called  annihilating  time 
and  space,  and  was  thought  to  be  quite  as  much  in  the 
way  of  speed  as  was  desirable.  Capt.  McLean  took  the 
Evening  Journal  in  his  pocket  on  leaving  the  dock  at 
Albany,  and  the  next  morning  at  2  o'clock,  walked  into 
the  office  of  the  New  York  Express  with  it  in  season  to 
spread  its  news  before  the  readers  of  that  paper,  so  that 
what  was  served  to  tea  in  Albany  was  given  in  New 
York  at  breakfast. 

Nov.  16.  A  blacksmith  and  wheelwright  shop  in 
Lydius  street,  near  Lark,  were  burnt. 

Nov.  20.     Abraham  Oakley  Miller  died,  aged  25. 

The  following  were  elected  officers  of  the  St.  Nicholas 
Benevolent  society : 

Abraham  Van  Vechten,  president. 

Harmanus  Bleecker,  Wm,  W.  Groesbeeck,  John  B.  Van 
Schaick,  vice  presidents. 

John  V.  L.  Pruyn,  secretary. 

Richard  Van  Rensselaer,  treasurer. 

Rev.  Thomas  E.  Vermilyea  and  Rev.  Isaac  N.  Wyckoff, 
chaplains. 

John  W.  Bay  and  Harman  Wendell,  physicians. 

Gerrit  W.  Ryckman,  Egbert  Egberts,  Edward  Brinker- 
hoff,  Charles  B.  Lansing,  Henry  Bleecker,  Jr.,  John 
Townsend,  John  Van  Buren,  Cornelius  Ten  Broeck,  J. 
C.  Van  Schoonhoven,  John  C.  Yates,  managers. 

Nov.  21.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  Mr. 
James  G.  Wasson,  of  the  finance  committee,  reported 
recommending  the  appropriation  of  $46,000  for  the  ex- 
penses of  the  current  year,  as  follows:  $7,000  for  lamps, 
$9?000  for  city  watch,  $20,000  for  contingencies,  $5,000 
on  city  debt,  and  $500  on  City  Hall;  which  was  adopted. 

Nov.  24.  A  fire  destroyed  the  dry  goods  store  of  Me- 
Cabe  &  Holmes  in  South  Market  street;  loss  $4,000. 

Nov.  27.     Shaw's  rope  walk  was  burnt. 

Nov.  28.     Catharine,  widow  of  Gershom  Fuller,  died. 


I. 


1836.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  265 

The  river  was  closed  so  that  the  steam  boats  could 
not  get  above  Van  Wie's  point. 

Dec.  1.  Mrs.  Phebe  Shepherd  died,  aged  59,  and  was 
buried  from  the  house  of  her  son-in-law,  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker. 

Dec.  7.  James  Hilton,  a  revolutionary  soldier,  died, 
aged  84. 

Anthony  I.  Quackenboss  died  in  New  York, 
aged  40. 

The  river  was  open  opposite  the  city,  and  the  Swift- 
sure  and  Oliver  Elsworth,  took  a  number  of  boats  in  tow 
in  the  expectation  of  reaching  New  York  with  them. 

Dec.  8.  The  Evening  Journal  furnished  its  readers 
with  the  message  24  hours  in  advance  of  the  mail.  It 
was  brought  from  New  York  to  Rhinebeck  by  steam 
boat,  and  from  thence  to  Hudson  by  stage;  an  express 
brought  it  from  Hudson  to  Greenbush,  32  miles  in  2 
hours.  The  expense  of  getting  the  president's  message 
before  the  public  in  Albany,  at  this  time,  was  very  great, 
and  the  stratagems  resorted  to  by  the  publishers  of  the 
three  papers  to  head  each  other  off,  were  quite  amusing. 

Dec.  11.  Sarah  Lucretia,  wife  of  James  Keeler,  died, 
aged  63. 

Dec.  15.  Evelina  Ross  died,  aged  20,  and  was  buried 
from  the  house  of  Mrs.  Leonard  Gansevoort,  in  Chapel 
street. 

The  following  were  elected  officers  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment : 

Dennison  Worthington,  president. 
Walter  R.  Bush,  vice  president. 
John  Cuyler,  secretary. 
Ephraim  N.  Pratt,  treasurer. 
Stephen  Mix,  collector. 

Dec.  16.  The  steam  boats  came  up  no  further  than 
Hudson,  and  the  river  was  again  closed  to  navigation. 

Dec.  17.     Alida,  widow  of  D.  I.  Winne,  died,  aged  61. 

Dec.  18.     Mary  C.,  wife  of  Alfred  Dorr,  died,  aged  33. 

The  ladies  held  a  fair  at  Stanwix  Hall  for  the  benefit 
of  St.  Paul's  church,  the  receipts  of  which  amounted  to 
$1,200. 


266  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1836. 

Dec.  19.  Erastus  Corning  was  reelected  mayor,  11 
votes;  Teunis  Van  Vechten  received  7. 

Dec.  20.  The  common  council  passed  an  ordinance 
to  prevent  forestalling  in  the  market.  The  following 
salaries  were  increased: 

Chamberlain, $250  per  annum. 

Supt.   Almshouse, 200        do 

Almshouse  physician, 100        do 

Clerk  of  the  board, 100        do 

City  marshal,  salary  fixed  at     400         do 
Alderman  Bloodgood  laid  on  the  table  a  resolution  in 
relation  to  the  subscription  by  the  board,  to  the  stock 
of  the  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge  rail  road;  the  object 
of  it  being  to  prevent  the  city  from  becoming  involved 
beyond  the  amount  of  its  subscription. 
Dec.  28.     Henry  Hoyt  died. 

1837. 

Jan.  3.     Eliza,  wife  of  Theodore  Olcott,  died,  aged  25. 
Mrs.  Hannah  Gladding  died,  aged  63. 
Alexander  Stevenson  died,  aged  31. 
The  legislature  met. 

Jan.  6.     Abraham  Van  Vechten   died.     (See   biogra- 
phical sketch  on  a  subsequent  page). 
Isabella,  wife  of  Daniel   P.  Marshall,  died, 

aged  41. 

Jan.  7.    Mrs.  Martha  Humphrey  died,  aged  88. 
Jan.  8.    Mary,  widow  of  J.  W.  Rockwell,  died,  aged  64. 
Jan.  9.     Dr.  March  applied  to  the  common  council  for 
the  Lancaster  school  house  to  be  used  as  a  medical  col- 
lege in  the  event  of  a  charter  being  granted  by  the  legis- 
lature.    Another  application  was  made  at  the  same  time 
for  its  use  as  a  piano  forte  manufactory. 
Jan.  11.     Philo  S.  Webster  died,  aged  29. 
Jan.  12.     James  Hickson  died,  aged  67. 

John  S.  Salter,  formerly  an  Albany  merchant, 
died  at  Elizabeth  town,  N.  J. 

Jan.  23.     Daniel  Mott  died,  aged  74. 


1837.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  267 

Jan.  26.  Ebenezer  Baldwin  died  at  New  Haven,  aged 
46;  he  distinguished  himself  in  the  political  and  literary 
circles  of  Albany,  in  the  time  of  Governor  Clinton. 

Feb.  2.     Alexander  Finlay  died. 

Edward  Elliott  died  at  St.  Croix,  aged  23. 

Feb.  5.     Richard  Leonard  died,  aged  37. 

Feb.  6.     Margaret,  wife  of  Joseph  Davis,  died,  aged  33. 

Feb.  9.     Jonathan  Tilyou  died,  aged  54. 

Feb.  14.  Frederick  Cuyler  died  in  Romeo,  Michigan, 
aged  33. 

Feb.  19.  Robert  Gray  died,  aged  35.  He  was  the 
first  librarian  of  the  Young  Men's  Association. 

Feb.  21.     Oscar  F.  Griffin  died,  aged  26. 

Feb.  22.     Mrs.  Elizabeth  Locherty  died,  aged  77. 

Feb.  24.  John  I.  Cluett  died,  aged  84;  formerly  of 
New  York. 

Feb.  25.     Mrs.  Margaret  Boyd  died,  aged  30. 

Feb.  28.     Levinus  Van  Schaack  died,  aged  43. 

March  5.  George  Fiske  died,  aged  58;  formerly  of 
Claremont,  N.  H. 

March  10.     Eliza  Treat,  wife  of  John  W.  Bay,  died. 
Silas  Booth  died,  aged  79;  a  soldier  of 
the  revolution. 

March  18.  Daniel  Hare,  Jr.,  late  a  merchant  in  this 
city,  died  at  Esperance,  Schoharie  county. 

March  22.  Rachel,  widow  of  James  Bleecker,  died, 
aged  79,  and  was  buried  from  the  house  of  her  son,  G. 
V.  S.  Bleecker. 

March  24.     William  Hinton  died,  aged  35. 

March  28.  The  ice  moved  out  of  the  river  before  the 
city  without  doing  any  damage. 

March  29.     Michael  Strong  died,  aged  62. 

A  fire  in  Orange  street  destroyed  the  two  story  dwell- 
ing of  John  Shell. 

March  31.     George  S.  Knower  died,  aged  20. 

A  sloop  arrived  from  New  Baltimore,  the  first  craft 
of  the  season. 

April  1.  The  steam  boat  Emerald,  the  first  of  the 
season,  arrived  from  New  York. 


268  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1837. 

April  2.  Abraham  Mansfield,  formerly  of  Albany, 
died  at  Italy,  Yates  county,  N.  Y. 

April  3.  Rev.  E.  N.  Kirk  left  the  city  to  sail  for 
Europe. 

April  5.  Elizabeth,  widow  of  John  Lansing,  died, 
aged  80. 

April  7.  Louisa,  wife  of  Henry  Allan  Grant,  died, 
aged  25. 

April  8.     James  Beekman  died,  aged  79, 

April  14.     Mary,  wife  of  Liberty  Wait,  died  aged  24. 

April  16.  Mrs.  R.  W.,  wife  of  John  Savage,  died, 
aged  52. 

April  18.     Mary  Haring  Knapp  died,  aged  20. 

The  Daily  Advertiser  was  sold  by  Messrs.  J.  B.  Van 
Schaick  &  Co.,  to  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer.  Taking 
advantage  of  the  increased  speed  of  the  night  boats, 
which  arrived  at  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
they  adopted  a  new  arrangement  by  which  the  news  of 
the  New  York  evening  papers  was  given  the  next  morn- 
ing in  the  Advertiser,  making  a  difference  of  twenty-four 
hours  over  the  old  order  of  publishing. 

April  20.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Third  Dutch 
church  was  laid,  corner  of  Green  and  Ferry  streets. 
The  Rev.  Drs.  Ferris,  Thos.  E.  Vermilyea,  I.  N.  Wyckoff 
of  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Sprague  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  assisted  in  the  cere- 
monies. The  ground  on  which  the  church  was  to  be 
erected,  was  given  by  the  Hon.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer. 
The  corner  stone  was  laid  by  the  venerable  Christian 
Miller,  one  of  the  fathers  of  the  Dutch  church  in  Albany. 
This  church  was  organized  14th  Dec.  1834,  when  it 
consisted  of  19  members;  it  now  numbered  79,  and  about 
75  families. 

April  24.  A  fire  in  Washington  street  destroyed  a 
range  of  buildings  from  65  to  81,  inclusive. 

April  28.     Mahala  Sanford  died,  aged  54. 

May  2.  Charter  election,  in  which  the  Democrats 
were,  for  the  first  time  in  many  years,  left  in  the  minority. 


1837.                 Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  269 

WHIG.  DEMOCRAT 

First  Ward, 
dldermcn.    G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, ...   595     O.  R.  Van  Benthuysen,.  426 

Chas.  S.  Olmstead, ..  578     Lemuel  Jenkins, 425 

Assistants.   Albeit  VanVoast,...   568     Charles  Dillon, 457 

John  Thompson, 543     George  Warren, 439 

Supervisor.  C.  W.  Bender, 534    B.  P.  Staats, 463 

Second  Ward. 

•Aldermen.    Ichabod  L.  Judson, , .   466     William  Seymour, ....  325 

Josiah  Winants, 461     D.  S.  Kittle 334 

Assistants.   William  Davis, 449     R.  W.  Peckham, 351 

S.  Rathbone, 463     B.Robinson, 328 

Supervisor.  Hazael  Kane % . .   445     John  I.  Bui  ton, 352 

Third  Ward. 

Aldermen.    John  W.  Bay, 269     John  L.  Wendell, .  124 


John  Groesbeck, . . . .  278  Andrew  E.  Brown, 

Assistants.  John  Davis, 275  William  Froment, . 

William  Thorburn,..  270  Wm.  Hendrickson, 

Supervisor.  Friend  Humphrey,..  274  E.  R.  Satterlee,. . . 


127 
126 
131 
128 
Fourth  Ward. 

Aldermen.    H.  A.  Williams,....   464     James  Maher, 425 

Seth  Jarvis, .     .....    467     George  Hanford, 445 

Assistants.  S.  T.  Thorn, 484     C.  Vosburgh, 455 

Lyman  Philleo, 459     John  Sharts, 427 

Supervisor.  James  Keeler, 411     P.P.  Staats, 444 

Fifth   Wa,d. 
Jlldermen.    Giles  Sanford, 284     James  Gibbons, 366 


Gerrit  L.  Dox, 
Assistants.  B.  B.  Tallman, 

Parker  Sargent, 
Supervisor.  John  Trotter,  Sen.,. 


270     Daniel  D.  Shaw,    389 

285     J.  A.  Putnam, 362 

290     James  McCabe, 378 


291     H.  V.  Hart, 372 

May  5.  Alexander  Fulton  died  of  wounds  received  by 
falling  from  a  house  in  Washington  street,  at  the  late  fire. 
May  8.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  Hon. 
Erastus  Corning  resigned  the  office  of  mayor,  which  he 
had  discharged  with  zeal  and  ability,  and  with  universal 
satisfaction. 

An  experiment  was  made  with  the  steam  boat  N. 
Cobb,  having  on  board  Bennett's  Improved  Steam  Gene- 
rator, to  reach  New  York  with  3J  cords  of  wood.  The 
boat  was  detained  by  an  accident  and  fell  short  of  her 
destination  50  miles  when  the  3J  cords  of  wood  were 
consumed. 


270  Notts  from  the  Newspapers.  1837. 

May  9.  The  new  board  of  common  council  met ;  Win. 
Parmelee  was  chosen  attorney,  and  George  W.  Weed 
clerk.  There  was  a  complete  discharge  of  all  the  city 
officials,  and  new  ones  appointed  in  their  places. 

May  11.  The  banks  stopped  specie  payments,  the 
New  York  banks  having  stopped  the  day  before. 

May  12.  Edward  Mitchell  died,  one  of  the  permanent, 
recruiting  party  of  the  United  States  at  this  station. 

May  14.     Joseph  Wilson  died,  aged  73. 

May  15.     Mrs.  Abby  Steele  died. 

Miss  Cynthia  R.  Sherman  died,  aged  33. 

Teunis  Van  Vechten  was  elected  mayor  by  14  votes. 

May  16.     The  legislature  adjourned  after  a  session  of 

days,  having  passed  478  laws. 

May  22.     Richard  S.  Treat  died,  aged  68. 

Elisha  B.  Janes  died,  late  principal  of  the 
Pearl  street  Academy,  aged  36. 
Louis  De  Witt  died. 

May  24.    Ellen,  wife  of  Dennis  Cane,  died. 

May  28.     Robert  McLachlan  died,  aged  28. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Parker  died,  aged  52. 

May  29.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  John 
Townsend  and  others  petitioned  the  board  to  issue  small 
bills,  under  five  dollars,  to  supply  the  great  scarcity  of 
small  change  of  all  kinds.  It  was  referred  to  the  finance 
committee,  who  subsequently  reported  adversely  to  the 
petition. 

June  6.  The  grocers  held  a  meeting  at  which  they 
resolved  that  under  the  present  system  of  selling  bread 
they  were  nothing  more  than  mere  collectors  for  the 
bakers,  and  that  they  would  take  no  more  bread  of  them 
at  present,  but  would  exert  themselves  to  bring  about  a 
reform. 

June  8.     Jonathan  Goldwait  died,  aged  42. 

June  14.     Francis  C.  Pruyn  died. 

Jesse  Howe  died,  aged  37;  of  the  firm  of 
Howe  &  Watson. 

June  17.    Adam  Kittle  died,  aged  24. 

June  19.     Miss  Grace  McNoah  died,  aged  21. 


1837.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  271 

June  21.  William  Ettridge,  proprietor  of  the  Utica 
House,  died,  aged  51. 

June  22.  Susan,  wife  of  Benj.  Van  Benthuysen,  died, 
aged  52. 

June  25.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Wilson  Robinson,  died, 
aged  51. 

June  26.     Joseph  Russell  died,  aged  80. 

June  29.  The  common  council  removed  George  J. 
Loomis,  Lemuel  Steele  and  William  Seymour,  who  had 
been  appointed  commissioners  for  the  erection  of  school 
houses. 

June  30.  General  Robert  Dunbar,  Jr.,  died,  aged  64. 
He  had  been  for  more  than  thirty  years  the  principal 
agent  of  the  patroon,  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 

July  6.     Margaret,  wife  of  John  Nellegar,  died. 
H.  C.  Wendell  died,  aged  56. 

July  11.     Valentine  W.  R.  Satterlee  died,  aged  46. 

July  12.     Catharine,  wife  of  Ethan  Allen  Fay,  died. 

July  13.  The  pier  company  having  applied  to  the 
common  council  for  permission  to  widen  the  pier  15  feet, 
the  petition  was  refused. 

The  competition  was  very  great  among  the  steam  boats. 
There  were  the  Old  line,  the  People's  line,  the  Night  line, 
the  Day  line,  and  the  Eagle  line.  One  night  several 
boats  would  leave  crowded  to  suffocation  at  50  cents  a 
head;  the  next  evening  a  solitary  boat  would  depart  at 
$3  a  head. 

The  Eagle  Tavern,  rendered  so  famous  by  its  landlord 
Leveret  Cruttenden,  passed  into  the  hands  of  H.  H. 
Crane,  from  Rochester. 

July  21.  A  fire  broke  out  in  South  Market  street 
which  swept  down  the  block  bounded  by  that  street  on 
the  west,  and  by  Hamilton,  Quay  and  Division  streets. 
Among  those  burnt  out  were  Ralph  Pratt  &  Co.,  E.  C. 
Aikin,  Matthew  Howe,  James  Goold,  E.  S.  Herrick, 
George  Guardenier,  Thomas  Hill,  Thomas  Watson,  J.  B. 
Morgan,  P.  &  H.  B.  Van  Buren,  James  Gallagher.  The 
Exchange  Coffee  House  and  one  other  brick  building 
alone  were  saved. 


272  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1837. 

July  24.     Leonard  G.  Van  Vechten  died,  aged  25. 
Margaret,  McKee  died. 

July  28.     David  I.  Boyd  died,  aged  50. 

July  30.     Margery  Gumming  died,  aged  50. 

July  31.     There  were  484  paupers  in  the  Almshouse. 

Aug.  6.     Erastus  St.  John  died,  aged  22. 

Aug.  7.  Charles  Pohlman  resigned  the  office  of  assist- 
ant engineer  of  the  fire  department. 

Aug.  13.     Jane,  wife  of  Wm.  Seymour,  died,  aged  41. 

Aug.  15.     Ezra  Thayer  died,  aged  72. 

Aug.  20.  Catharine,  wife  of  Ambrose  Spencer,  died, 
aged  58. 

There  were  16  steam  boats  at  the  dock. 

Aug.  26.  The  common  council  was  convened  at  3 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  at  the  request  of  twelve  members, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  case  of  a  circus  company. 
They  had  erected  a  circus  at  Kane's  walk,  and  the  board 
had  prohibited  their  performances.  Alderman  John 
Groesbeck  advocated  the  granting  of  a  license  to  them, 
but  the  board  refused  to  do  it. 

Sept.  3.  A  fire  in  Exchange  street  destroyed  Thomas's 
cooperage. 

Sept.  4.  A  law  having  been  passed  by  the  common 
council  prohibiting  circus  exhibitions  in  the  city,  it  was 
repealed  by  a  vote  of  1 1  to  6. 

Sept.  5.  A  special  meeting  of  the  board  was  held, 
at  which  an  appropriation  was  made  of  $1,000  to  aid  in 
improving  the  channel  of  the  river.  Eagle  street,  which 
was  still  unopened,  was  directed  to  be  pitched  and  paved 
from  Hudson  to  Eagle  street.  The  city  attorney  reported 
that  he  had  sued  the  Albany  City  Bank  for  extending 
their  building  beyond  the  line  of  the  street,  and  obtained 
a  judgment  of  $25,  notwithstanding  which,  they  contin- 
ued to  proceed  with  the  building.  The  board  directed 
the  attorney  to  prosecute  the  bank  from  day  to  day  until 
they  suspended  the  progress  of  the  work  and  removed  the 
obstruction  complained  of.  The  edifice  was  completed 
as  it  was  begun  nevertheless. 

Sept.  6.    John  Phillips,  Jr.,  died,  51. 


1837.  Note*  from  the  Newspapers.  273 

Sept.  6.  Mary,  wife  of  Dr.  Joel  A.  Wing,  died,  aged  46. 

Sept.  7.     Sanford  Rowe  died,  aged  20. 

Sept.  8.  Robert  Martin,  formerly  one  of  the  proprie- 
tors of  the  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  died,  aged  39. 

Sept.  9.  Catharine  Ann,  wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  Ferris,  died 
in  New  York. 

Sept.  10.     Charles  L.  Chapman  died,  aged  36. 
Hannan  Van  Allen  died,  aged  22. 

Sept.  12.  The  sabbath  schools  of  the  city  held  their 
anniversary  under  the  arrangement  of  Philip  Phelps, 
John  \Vinne,  Jacob  Hochsjrasser,  L.  P.  Noble,  Charles 
M.  Jenkins,  and  Archibald  McClure. 

Sept.  13.     Jane,  wife  of  John  Peebles,  died. 

Grandin  Augustus  Bogart  died  at  New  Or- 
leans, aged  23. 

Sept.  15.  Catharine,  widow  of  John  L.  Viele,  died, 
aged  44. 

Sept.  16.     Philip  De  Freest  died,  aged  38. 

Mary  L.  wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  W.  B.  Sprague, 
died,  aged  33. 

Sept.  18.  A  new  steam  boat  built  by  Peter  Burden, 
arrived  from  New  York  in  13  hours,  having  been  de- 
tained two  hours. 

Sept.  19.     Elizabeth,  wife  of  Elisha  Dorr,  died. 

Sept.  20.  Alanson  L.  Covell,  pastor  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist church,  died,  aged  34. 

Sept.  29.  Sanford  Cobb  was  elected  chamberlain  of 
the  city,  vice  P.  V.  Shankland  resigned. 

Oct.  2.  The  board  of  aldermen  discussed  the  propo- 
sition to  appoint  a  comptroller  of  the  city  treasury.  It 
was  argued  that  at  present  about  $400,000  passed  through 
the  hands  of  the  chamberlain  annually,  and  that  in  the 
collection  and  disbursement  of  so  large  a  sum  there  should 
be  a  check  upon  the  officer  having  control  thereof,  although 
no  loss  had  yet  accrued.  The  subject  was  referred. 

At  the  same  meeting  Messrs.  Britton  B.  Tallman,  Sim- 
eon De  Witt  Bloodgood  and  Isaac  N.  Comstock,  were 
elected  commissioners  under  the  act  of  the  legislature, 
for  the  erection  of  district  school  houses. 

{Annals,  x.]  24 


274  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1837. 

Oct.  3.     Matilda,  wife  of  Douw  Fonda,  died. 

Oct.  15.  Thankful,  wife  of  Joseph  L'Amoreux,,died, 
aged  54. 

Caroline,   daughter    of    the   late    Obediah 
Cooper,  died,  aged  56. 

Oct.  23.     Gertrude  Wandell  died,  aged  85. 
John  C.  Winne  died,  aged  40. 

The  board  of  common  council  created  the  office  of  au- 
ditor, and  elected  Robert  Brown  to  perform  its  duties. 

Oct.  29.  Captain  John  C.  Baker,  Jr.,  died  at  New 
Orleans. 

Oct.  30.  A  fire  was  discovered  in  the  coal  yard  of 
Walter  R.  Morris  &  Co.,  corner  of  Quackenbush  and 
Water  streets,  which  was  supposed  to  be  a  case  of  spon- 
taneous combustion.  Another  fire  in  the  evening  de- 
stroyed the  cabinet  shop  of  James  H.  Turley  and  the 
spirit  gas  manufactory  of  John  G.  Webb,  290  North 
Market  street.  In  removing  a  cask  of  gas  it  took  fire 
and  flowed  down  the  gutter  to  Maiden  lane,  forming  a 
novel  and  interesting  exhibition. 

The  common  council  repealed  a  law  which  prohibited 
farmers  selling  meats  in  State  street,  or  any  other  part 
of  the  city. 

Nov.  3.     Mrs.  Jane  McNoah  died,  aged  55. 

Nov.  4.  Eleanor,  wife  of  Jonas  Stafford,  died  in  New 
York. 

Nov.  6.  Mary,  wife  of  Lawrence  Howard,  died, 
aged  52. 

Nov.  7.     Mrs.  Mary  Stewart  died,  aged  85. 

Sarah,  wife  of  0.  R.  Van  Benthuysen,  died, 
aged  52. 

Nov.  9.  The  election  which  was  still  held  during 
three  days,  terminated  in  the  defeat  of  the  democratic 
party.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  was  elected  to  the  assembly, 
John  B.  Van  Schaick  to  the  senate,  H.  B.  Haswell  county 
clerk,  and  Michael  Artcher  sheriff.  The  Evening  Jour- 
nal displayed  the  great  eagle  in  its  columns  for  the  first 
time,  with  the  motto  "As  goes  the  fourth  ward,  so  goes 
the  state,"  so  often  boasted  by  the  Argus. 


1837.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  275 

Nov.  10.     Maria  Antoinette  McElroy  died,  aged  42. 
Nov.  11.     Henry  Bleecker  died,  aged  75. 
Nov.  13.     The  common  council  resolved  to  raise  the 
following  sums  of  money  by  tax: 

For  lamps  and  city  watch, $15,000 

contingencies, 20,000 

city  debt  and  interest, 5.000 

on  account  of  City  Hall, 5,000 

building  school  houses, 2,500 

$47,500 

Nov.  29.  Gertrude,  wife'of  Francis  Van  Dusen,  died, 
aged  57. 

Conrad  A.  Ten  Eyck  had  held  the  office  of  county 
clerk  with  ability  during  a  long  period;  and  on  retiring 
the  Albany  county  court  and  bar  united  in  a  compliment- 
ary letter  to  him. 

Dec.  4.     Mrs.  Sarah  Pemberton  died,  aged  59. 

Dec.  6.  Sally,  wife  of  David  N.  Parker,  formerly  of 
this  city,  died  in  New  Orleans,  aged  32. 

Dec.  14.     Cornelius  B.  Marshall  died. 

Dec.  17.     Robert  B.  Bennett  died,  aged  36. 

William  Alvord  died  at  Savannah,  aged  36. 

Dec.  27.     Teunis  Van  Vechten  was  reelected  mayor. 

Dec.  28.     Sarah  S.,  wife  of  William  C.  Miller,  died. 

1838. 

Jan.  6.  Solomon  South  wick  issued  a  new  weekly 
paper  called  The  Family  Newspaper. 

Jan.  12.     James  F.  Linacre  died,  aged  32. 
Jan.  26.     The  river  was  free  of  ice. 
The  first  annual  report  of  the  harbor  master,   under 
a  law  of  the  last  legislature,  presented   the  following 
statement: 

Vessels.  Tons. 

249   sloops 12,326 

32   steamboats, 8,253 

40   tow    boats, 7.059 

129   schooners, 8,318 


276  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1838. 


1    brig,.. 

120 

3    perriauguas,. 

200 

7   Philadelphia  barges,  „. 

889 

11    scows,  

429 

473   vessels.  37,595  tons. 

These  vessels  made  from  1  to  100  trips  each,  produc- 
ing a  revenue  of  $563-91  at  l£  cents  per  ton. 

0.  M.  Coleman,  a  mechanic  of  this  city,  produced  an 
automaton  which  played  upon  a  musical  instrument 
distinct  from  itself,  an  achievement  never  before  accom- 
plished. It  consisted  of  the  figure  of  a  female,  and  played 
any  tune  within  the  compass  of  an  accordion. 

Jan.  29.  The  fur  manufactory  of  Packer,  Prentice  & 
Co.,  in  Water  street,  was  destroyed  by  lire,  loss  about 
$5,000;  $2, 100  insured. 

Jan.  30.  The  grocery  of  Wm.  M.  Bender,  corner  of 
South  Pearl  and  Lydius  streets,  was  burnt,  loss  $2,000; 
$1,200  insured. 

Feb.  3.     Jane,  wife  of  John  Garnsey,  died,  aged  38. 

Feb.  5.     Peter  Brown  died,  aged  57. 

The  superintendent  of  the  Almshouse  reported  639 
paupers.  The  salary  of  the  overseer  of  the  poor  was 
raised  to  $550.  The  expenses  of  the  last  quartei  were 
$5,652-52. 

The  common  council  were  petitioned  to  open  Colonie 
street  from  North  Market  to  Orchard  street. 

The  eastern  mail  was  lost  in  crossing  the  river  by  the 
breaking  of  the  ice. 

Feb.  17.  Isaiah  Townsend  died,  aged  61.  He  was  a 
native  of  Orange  county,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1799. 
As  the  senior  partner  of  the  house  of  I.  &  J.  Townsend, 
he  had  been  engaged  in  active  and  extensive  mercantile 
and  manufacturing  business  for  the  last  36  years.  The 
house,  by  its  enterprise  and  liberality,  had  done  much  to 
promote  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  country,  and 
still  more  to  advance  the  prosperity  of  this  city.  He  is 
characterized,  as  in  all  things,  an  upright,  just  and 
generous  man,  who  lived  a  life  of  honor  and  usefulness. 


1838.  Notes  from  th*  Newspapers.  277 

At  a  meeting  of  the  merchants,  Erastus  Corning  chair- 
man, it  was  resolved  to  close  their  stores  and  attend  the 
funeral. 

Feb.  20.     Thomas  Duncan  died,  aged  28. 

John  H.  Angus  died,  aged  50. 
Feb.  23.     Stephen  Thorn  died,  aged  48. 
Feb.  28.     Martha,  widow  of  Dr.  Abel  Sherman,  died, 
aged  65. 

March  2.     Maria  Hoffman  died,  aged  34. 
March  3.     Dr.  Jarvis  Barney  died,  aged  33. 
March  4.     Mary,  wife  of  Linus  McCabe,  died,  aged  23. 
March  5.     Rosanna,  wfdow  of  Sebastian  Visscher,  died, 
aged  65. 

Alonzo   L.  Stewart,  formerly   of  Albany, 
died  at  Kingston,  Ulster  county,  aged  31. 

March  6.     Susan,  wife  of  P.  V.  Shankland,  died. 
March  15.     John  Garnsey  died,  aged  41. 
March  16.     Timothy  Pitkin,  Jr.,  sometime  resident  in 
this  city,  died  at  Columbus,  Georgia,  aged  25. 

March  18.     Maria,  wife  of  Edward  Dunn,  died,  aged  26. 
Elizabeth,    wife   of   John   Wright,   died, 

aged  44. 

March  19.  The  Utica  arrived,  first  steam  boat  from 
New  York. 

The  fifth  ward  burial  ground  having  been  advertised 

for  sale,  the  board  of  common  council  ordered  it  to  be 

discontinued,  on  the  petition  of  David  Pruyn  and  others. 

March  22.     A  fire  in  Orange  street  destroyed  several 

buildings. 

March  24.  Sophia,  wife  of  William  McHarg,  died, 
aged  48. 

It  was  announced  that  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
Montgomery  street  was  to  have  the  addition  of  a  steeple, 
in  which  one  of  the  famous  Spanish  bells  was  to  be  hung. 
These  bells  were  brought  over  from  Spain  and  sold  in 
New  York. 

March  26.     Rev.  James  Jope  died,  of  the  State  street 
Methodist  church. 
March  28.     Isabella,  widow  of  John  Shaw,  died. 


278  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1838. 

March  29.  Ann  Eliza,  wife  of  Henry  Martin,  late 
of  Albany,  died  in  Stanfortville,  Connecticut. 

March  31.     A   fire   in   Lawrence   street  destroyed  a 
number  of  wooden  buildings  adrertised  to  be  sold  by  the 
canal  commissioners. 
April  2.    Joanna,  widow  of  John  Hone,  died,  aged  73. 

Norman  Seymour  died,  aged  22. 

The  common  council  passed  a  law  for  excavating  the 
mound  on  the  north  side  of  Hamilton  street,  west  of 
Eagle. 

April  3.     Alonzo  Borne  died,  aged  49. 
April  11.    Lloyd  Wm.  Henry,  died,  aged  24. 

Catharine,  wife  of  Thomas  Fish,  died. 
April  13.     John  Mansfield  died. 

Richard  Tillman  died,  aged  88. 

Elizabeth  M.,  wife  of  Anthony  Blanchard, 

died. 

April  14.  Abram  Burbank  died,  aged  60. 
April  16.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  John 
Davis  moved  that  the  Lancaster  school  house  be  leased 
to  the  trustees  of  the  Medical  College  for  five  years,  rent 
free.  He  stated  that  application  had  been  made  to  the 
legislature  repeatedly  for  a  charter,  but  that  it  had  not 
been  acted  upon  by  that  body,  and  it  was  proposed  to 
commence  a  school  without  a  charter;  that  the  building 
was  becoming  dilapidated,  and  a  nuisance;  that  the  peti- 
tioners proposed  to  expend  $5,000  in  repairs  upon  it,  and 
would  surrender  the  premises  in  good  condition  at  the 
end  of  the  term.  The  motion  was  adopted  unanimously. 
April  17.  Lyman  V.  Moody  died,  aged  38. 

Mrs.  Caroline  Brown  died,  aged  34. 
April  18.     William  Campbell  died,  aged  52. 
N.  0.  Covert  died  in  Montreal. 
Thomas   Rector  was  arraigned  on  charge 
of  having  murdered  Robert  Shepherd  on  the  llth  March 
last. 

April  20.    Mrs.  Hannah,  mother  of  E.  C.  Delavan,  died. 
John  W.  Merril  died,  aged  25. 
Robert  P.  Paine  died  at  Pensacola. 


1838. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


279 


April  23.  Walter  R.  Morris,  an  Albany  merchant, 
died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  aged  36. 

April  25.  Ephraim  Wilder,  of  the  house  of  Wilder  & 
Hastings,  died,  aged  53. 

April  26.  The  bank  of  Albany  recovered  so  far  from 
the  late  panic  as  to  begin  paying  out  its  own  bills  again. 
Its  emission  was  from  new  plates. 

April  29.  Margaret,  widow  of  William  Foster,  died, 
aged  56. 

April  30.  Benjamin  Lattimore,  a  revolutionary  soldier, 
died,  aged  78. 

May  1.  The  expenses  of  the  city  for  the  year  past 
were  $240,426*92. 

May  2.  The  charter  election  terminated  in  the  de- 
feat of  the  democrats,  every  ward  giving  whig  majorities. 

WHIG.  DEMOCRAT. 

First  Ward. 

Jttdermen.     G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,...  600 

Chas.  S.  Olmsted,...  591 

Assistants.    William  Barney, ....  584 

Nathan  Kingsley, . .  .  559 

Supervisor.  C.  W.    Bender, 589 

David  Bensen, 588 


Assessor. 

Aldermen. 

Assistants. 

Supervisor. 
Assessor. 

Aldermen. 
Assistants. 

Supervisor. 
Assessor. 

Aldermen. 

Assistants. 

Supervisor. 
Assessor. 


John  E.  Lovett, 365 

Benjamin  Thomas, ....  355 

Adam  Toxld, 387 

Burgess  Wands, 367 

Edward  A  richer, 367 

George    Warren, 367 


Second 
Ichabod  L.  Judson, . . 

Josiah  Winants, 

William  Davis, 

John  F.  Tcwnsend,.. 

Hazael  Kane, 

Moses  Tyler, 

Third 

John  W.  Bay, 

John  Davis, 

William  Thorburn,.. 

Arnold   Nelson 

Friend  Humphrey,.. 
Ehhu  Russell, 

Fourth 
Henry  A.  Williams,. 

Seth  Jarvis, 

Sieph^n  T.  Thorn, .. 
Joel  R.  Dickerman,. 

Chas.  A.  Keeler, 

A  aron  Hawley 


Ward. 

442     Hiram  Perry, 398 

426     Timothy  Seymour,....    390 

438     John  Kelso 393 

431     Francis   McGuigan,...   393 

437     John  I.   Burton, 392 

436     Thomas  Carson, 394 

Wara. 

339     John  R.  Bleecker, ....    148 

C.  Y.  Lansing, 152 

N.  N.  Quackenboss, . . .  151 
Cornelius  Ten  Brorck,.  153 
Seth  Hastings, 152 


William  Muir, 152 


344 
343 
338 
342 
342 
Ward. 

554     James  Maher, 474 

566     George  Hanford, 491 

576     John  Sharls, 475 

563     John    Osborn, 486 

546     Peter   P.  Staats, 502 


564     William  Whiting,. 


485 


280  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1838. 

Fifth  Ward. 

Mdermen.     Thomas  McElroy,. ..  366     Charles  Chapman, 313 

Andrew  Kirk, 372     James  McCabe, 311 

Atsistantt.    Parker  Sargent, 375     Timothy  Spears, 315 

Zebina  Belknap,....  370     John  Ken  yon, 309 

Supervisor.  Giles  Sanford, 375     John  Van  Ness,  Jr., ...  300 

May  3.  Anna  M.  Slingerland,  wife  of  Robert  S.  Lay, 
formerly  of  this  city,  died  at  Chesterville,  aged  22. 

May  8.  The  Albany  Daily  Advertiser  establishment 
passed  into  the  hands  of  its  former  owners,  E.  W.,  &  C. 
Skinner,  and  was  edited  by  John  B.  Van  Schaick. 

May  8.  Abram  Koonz  and  others  petitioned  the  com- 
mon council  to  have  Hallenbake  street  paved  from  Hudson 
to  Lydius,  which  was  granted.  Very  few  of  the  den- 
izens of  that  street  at  this  day  have  an  idea  of  its  aspect 
twenty  years  ago.  The  first,  house  built  upon  it  is  be- 
lieved to  have  been  that  of  Mr.  Koonz,  on  the  north-east 
corner  of  Grand  and  Hamilton.  It  stood  alone  like  an 
outpost  upon  the  western  verge  of  the  city. 

May  14.     Joseph  Wilson,  died,  aged  73. 

May  17.     Douw  Fonda,  died,  aged  74. 

May  16.  The  following  were  elected  professors  of  the 
Albany  Medical  College : 

Dr.  Alden  March,  prof,  surgery. 

Prof.  E.  Emmons,  chemistry  and  natural  history. 

Dr.  Jas.  H.  Armsby,  anatomy  and  physiology. 

Dr.  Henry  Green,  obstetrics  and  diseases  of  women 
and  children. 

Dr.  David  McLachlan,  materia  medica  and  pharmacy. 

Dr.  Thomas  Hun,  the  institutes  of  medicine. 

Amos  Dean,  Esq.,  medical  jurisprudence. 

David  M.  Reese,  theory  and  practice  of  medicine. 

The  fees  for  the  course  were  $75. 

May  23.     Peter  Allanson  died,  aged  65. 

May  25.  The  coach  factory  of  James  Goold  &  Co., 
was  destroyed  by  fire  ;  loss  $45,000,  insured  $19,500. 
There  were  a  considerable  number  of  other  buildings 
burnt  also  in  the  vicinity.  The  loss  of  Mr.  Goold  was 
felt  to  be  a  public  calamity,  and  a  number  of  wealthy 


1838.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  281 

citizens  loaned  him  f  20,000  five  years  without  interest, 
to  rebuild  his  establishment  and  commence  anew. 

May  29.     Isabella,  widow  of  Barent  Van  Loon,  died. 

The  following  were  the  first  trustees  of  the  Medical 
College  : 

Teunis  Van  Vechten,  mayor  of  the  city, 
James  McKown,  recorder  of  the  city, 
Daniel  D.  Barnard,  William  Seymour, 

Samuel  Stevens,  Israel  Williams, 

John  Taylor,  George  Dexter, 

Friend  Humphrey,  Oliver  Steele, 

James  Goold,  Robert  H.  Pruyn, 

John  I.  Wendell,  John  Groesbeck, 

Andrew  Kirk,  John  Trotter, 

Conrad  A.  Ten  Eyck,  Charles  D.  Gould, 

Ira  Harris,  Arnold  Nelson, 

Bradford  R.  Wood,  Thomas  McElroy, 

John  0.  Cole,  P.  S.  Van  Rensselaer. 

John  Davis, 

June  4.  The  common  council  removed  John  0.  Cole 
from  the  office  of  police  magistrate,  which  he  had  held 
several  years  to  the  discomfiture  of  evil  doers,  and  ap- 
pointed Hazael  Kane  in  his  place. 

June  4.     Erastus  Corning  was  elected  president  of  the. 
Utica  and  Schenectady  rail  road. 

June  8.     Mrs.  Susanna  McKenna  died,  aged  80. 

A  purchase  was  made  by  the  state  of  the  house  of 
Edwin  Croswell,  in  Elk  street,  for  the  use  of  the  gov- 
ernor, for  which  $19,000  was  paid. 

A  warm  June  ;  state  of  thermometer: 

6  A.M.       3  P.M.       9  P.M. 
June  10  Sunday,  66  deg.     93  deg.     82  deg. 

11  Monday,     75     94     79 

12  Tuesday,     72     80     77 

13  Wednesday,   74     79     81 

14  Thursday,    68     86     78 

15  Friday,      71     88     75 

16  Saturday,    72     88     77 

17  Sunday,     73     87     77 

18  Monday,     67     82     71 


282  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1838 

The  average  temperature  of  the  first  half  of  June  for 
the  past  ten  years  was  as  follows: 

J829 70.30  deg.  1834 64.38  deg. 

1830  65.75  1835    70.63 

1831  74.60  1836    66.77 

1832  65.54  1837    69.50 

1833  63.85  1838    71.11 

June  21.  A  fire  destroyed  a  carpenter's  shop  and 
several  small  buildings  in  Spring  street. 

June  25.     Helen,  wife  of  Gerrit  Y.  Lansing,  died. 

June  9.  J.  J.  De  Lissa,  a  teacher  of  languages,  was 
drowned  by  falling  from  the  Troy  steam  boat. 

July  4.  Oration  by  Thomas  W.  Harman  ;  reading 
Declaration  by  J.  B.  Van  Schaick.  The  procession  had 
the  unusual  attraction  of  the  presence  of  the  Philadelphia 
State  Fencibles.  Oration  before  Young  Men's  Associa- 
tion by  Wm.  H.  Fondey  ;  reading  Declaration  by  A.  M. 
Strong. 

The  celebrated  traveler,  J.  Silk  Buckingham,  at  this 
time  delivered  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  Female  Acad- 
emy on  Egypt,  &c. 

July  1.     Mrs.  Ruth  Crane  died,  aged  86. 
Dr.  0.  Crosby  died. 

July  2.  Ellen  E.,  wife  of  Rufus  King,  died,  aged  26. 

July  4.  The  Daily  Patriot,  an  abolition  paper,  was 
begun  by  J.  G.  Wallace. 

July  5.     Susan,  widow  of  H.  Dyer,  died,  aged  28. 

July  7.     John  McMillen  died. 

July  8.     Lydia,  wife  of  Simeon  Fitch,  died,  aged  61. 
Margaret,  wife  of  Peter  Smith,  died,  aged  45. 

July  9.     Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Winne,  died. 

July  10.  Magdalene,  wife  of  Seth  Arnold,  died,  aged 
46. 

July  14.  LeverettCruttenden,  died  at  Bridgeport, Conn., 
aged  67.  He  was  long  and  favorably  known  as  Mine  Host 
of  the  Hill,  or  in  other  words,  the  landlord  of  the  celebrated 
public  house,  afterwards  known  as  Congress  Hall,  and 
subsequently  as  the  keeper  of  the  Eagle  Tavern.  The 


1838.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  283 

House  of  Lords,  as  his  establishment  was  called  from  its 
superior  character,  was  established  in  1814,  and  conti- 
nued about  sixteen  years.  It  was  the  head  quarters  of 
the  old  judiciary,  which  was  swept  away  by  the  Jacobin 
hurricane  of  1821-1822,  and  also  of  that  glorious  galaxy 
of  talent,  genius  and  learning  which, adorned  the  bar  of 
New  York  at  that  day,  and  of  the  most  distinguished 
members  of  the  legislature.  It  was  likewise  the  principal 
resort  of  distinguished  gentlemen  in  other  walks  of  life. 
Mr.  Cruttenden  was  a  man  of  reading,  and  of  ready  and 
brilliant  humor,  and  from  his  talents  and  great  popularity, 
was  usually  one  of  the  after-dinner  social  circles,  for 
many  years — being  not  only  witty  himself,  but  the  cause 
of  wit  in  others.  Here  was  held  the  original  Kent  Club, 
and  the  Spencerian  judges  met  ;  and  where  were  found 
such  men  as  Williams,  Emmett,  Storrs,  J.  R.  Van  Rens- 
selaer,  Riggs,  Harrison,  Bunner,  and  a  score  of  others. 
Mr.  Cruttenden  relinquished  his  calling  about  eighteen 
menths  before  his  death,  and  retired  to  Bridgeport,  where 
he  had  "built  a  house,  and  hoped  to  pass  the  evening  of 
his  days.  But  the  change  of  an  active  life  for  one  of 
leisure  wrought  unfavorably  upon  his  health.  He  la- 
bored much  of  the  time  under  a  religious  melancholy, 
which  was  followed  by  a  paralytic  attack.  He  was  a 
native  of  Guilford,  Conn. 

July  19.  Mrs.  Jane  Hanah  died,  aged  92. 

July  20.  Maria,  wife  of  Isaac  W.  Vosburgh,  died, 
aged  32. 

July  22.  The  Third  Presbyterian  church,  in  Mont- 
gomery street,  was  opened  for  worship,  having  been 
closed  some  time  for  repairs,  during  which  a  steeple  had 
been  erected,  and  a  Spanish  convent  bell,  recast  by  As- 
pinwall,  hung  in  it,  and  it  was  lighted  by  chandeliers. 

July  24.  James  0.  Wendell  died. 

July  29.  Margaret  McChesney  died,  aged  36. 

July  30.  Two  frame  buildings  in  Second  street,  Arbor 
hill,  were  destroyed  by  fire  ;  one  of  them,  the  bakery  of 
James  Dey  Ermand. 

Beebe's  carpentry  shop,  in  Montgomery  street,  was 
burnt. 


284  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1838. 

July  30.  David  Orr  died,  aged  30. 

Aug.  1.    Dr.  Lewis  H.  Gregory  died. 
Robert  McFarlan  died. 

Aug.  2.     Alfred  H.  Collins,  died  aged  22. 

Aug.  3.     Isaac  P.  Cole,  died  aged  53. 

Aug.  4.     Sarah   LM   wife    of  Watts    Sherman,   died, 

aged  22. 
Alida,  wife  of  James  Boyd,  died,  aged  76. 

Aug.  5.    Louisa  B.,  wife  of  Eleazar  Bliss,  died,  aged  42 

Aug.  6.     William  Strain,  died,  aged  69. 
Peter  Drake  died,  aged  53. 

Aug.  8.     Mrs.  Elizabeth  Brown  died,  aged  50. 

Aug.  10.  Deborah  Johnson  died,  aged  54. 

Aug.  12.  Sarah,  wife  of  James  Harrison,  died,  aged  26. 

Aug.  15.  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Morgan,  died,  aged  77. 

A  fire  in  Church  street  destroyed  a  part  of  Stark's 
tavern  and  a  dwelling  house. 

Aug.  19.  A  fire  in  Van  Schaick  street  burnt  down 
several  wooden  tenements  in  that  and  Fox  street,  and  a 
lad  named  Hagerman,  perished  in  the  flames. 

Aug.  20.  Margaret,  widow  of  James  Rodgers,  died, 
aged  72. 

Aug.  21.  Mrs.  Hannah  Peck,  died. 

Mary  D.,  wife  of  Jeremiah  M.  Ball,  died,  aged  35. 

Aug.  23.  Uri  Scott  died,  aged  68. 

A  new  bell  was  put  in  the  tower  of  the  North  Dutch 
church,  weighing  3,123  pounds,  cast  at  the  foundry  of 
Aspinwall  of  this  city. 

Aug.  31.  Notice  was  given  that  the  Second  Methodist 
Protestant  church  would  open  their  meeting  room  over 
store  No.  2  Green  Street,  on  the  next  sabbath,  seats  free; 
that  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Pearson,  recently  of  Hallenbake 
street  church,  had  been  duly  appointed  pastor  of  this 
church,  and  would  officiate. 

Sept.  5.     Mrs.  Ann  Annesley  died,  aged  63. 

Sept.  8.  A  fire  destroyed  the  extensive  stables  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Eagle  and  Hudson  streets,  occupied 
by  S.  W.  St.  John,  and  owned  by  Abel  French;  also  500 


1838.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  285 

cords  of  pine  woods.     The  Troy  and  Greenbush  fire  en- 
gines came  to  assist  in  its  extinguishment. 

Sept.  15.  Hiram  Finch  died,  aged  35. 

Sept.  17.  The  navigation  committee  reported  to  the 
common  council  that  $96,090*55  had  been  expended  in 
improving  the  basin,  and  that  there  were  still  105,000 
yards  of  excavation  to  be  made,  which  would  cost  $36,250. 

Sept.  19.  Levi  Bartlett  died,  aged  35. 

Sept.  25.  A  public  dinner  was  given  to  Harmanus 
Bleecker,  on  the  occasion  of  his  going  abroad. 

Oct.  4.     Bayard  G.  Han/1  died  at  Savannah,  Ga. 

Oct.  14.  The  common  council  passed  a  law  for  the 
paving  of  Eagle  street  for  the  first  time,  between  Hudson 
and  Lydius. 

Wm.  Augustus  Douglass  died  at  St.  Augus- 
tine, aged  23. 

Oct.  15.  Mrs.  Jane  Chapman  died,  aged  71. 

Oct.  17.  Nathaniel  Judson  died,  aged  86. 

Oct.  19.  Daniel  P.  Marshall  died,  aged  48. 

Oct.  20.  Isaac  M.  Blake  died,  aged  27. 
Magdalen  Fonda  died,  aged  41. 

Oct.  22.  James  Frazer  died,  aged  21. 

Oct.  29.  Harriet,  wife  of  Josiah  Clark,  died,  aged  32. 

Nov.  5.     Mrs.  Phoebe  Hewlett  died,  aged  74. 

Capt.  Orsemus  Whipple  died,  aged  32. 

Nov.  7.  The  fall  election  was  closed,  and  the  whigs 
were  the  winners.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  was  elected  to 
congress,  and  John  Davis  to  the  assembly.  The  vote 
for  Gov.  Marcy  was  518  less  than  that  of  Mr.  Seward. 

Nov.  9.     Franklin  Hubbard  died,  aged  22. 

Nov.  10.  Margarey,  wife  of  Joseph  Briare,  died  aged  28. 

Nov.  15.  Abraham  Oakey  died,  aged  38. 

Elisha   Dorr  was   chosen   treasurer  of  the 
county. 

Nov.  20.  John  Carmichael  died,  aged  32, 

Nov.  21.  Elsie  Van  Rensselaer  died,  aged  79. 
James  Hilton  died,  aged  49. 

Nov.  7.     Lavinia  E.,  wife  of  A.  J.  Hill,  and  daughter 

[Annals,  x.]  25 


286  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1838. 

of  Willard  Walker,  died  in  England,  and  was  buried  in 
the  graveyard  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

Nov.  27.  Hector  H.  Crane,  of  the  Eagle  Tavern,  died, 
aged  44. 

Nov.  29.  Lavinia  Augusta  Wilson  died,  aged  29. 

Ellen  W.,  wife  of  Sylvester  T.  Carr,  died, 
aged  35. 

Nov.  9.  Elizabeth,  widow  of  John  Carson,  formerly 
of  Albany,  died  at  Geneseo,  aged  85.  She  was  the 
mother  of  David  and  Thomas  Carson,  and  a  member  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  as  early  as  1792. 

Nov.  7.  Mrs.  Anne  Grant,  author  of  the  American 
Lady,  died  at  Edinburgh,  aged  84. 

Dec.  3.     Elizabeth  Brown  died,  aged  54. 

Dec.  4.  Catharine  A.,  wife  of  Wm.  Russell,  died, 
aged  24. 

Dec.  5.     Joseph  Clark,  late  of  England,  died,  aged  70. 

Dorephus  Abbey,  formerly  a  printer  in  this  city,  was 
executed  at  Kingston,  Canada.  He  was  second  in  com- 
mand of  the  Patriots  at  Prescott,  and  captured. 

Dec.  12.  Mary,  wife  of  Hazael  Kane,  died,  aged  35. 

Christian,  widow  of  John  Humphrey,  and  mother  of 
the  above,  died,  aged  79. 

The  association  of  the  Albany  Exchange  Bank  was 
formed,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  John  Q.  Wilson 
was  the  first  president,  and  Geo.  W.  Stanton  vice-pres- 
ident. 

Emily  Ann,  widow  of  Anthony  I.  Quackenboss,  died 
in  New  York,  aged  41. 

Dec.  19.  Mrs.  Susan  Kinnear  died,  aged  78. 

Dec.  21.  Agrippa  Martin  died,  aged  72. 

Dec.  23.  Rachel  Douw  died,  aged  64. 

Dec.  25,  Joseph  Russell  died,  aged  62;  president  of 
the  Canal  Bank. 

Dec.  27.  Teunis  Van  Vechten  was  reelected  mayor  for 
the  ensuing  year. 

Barnum  Whipple,  harbor-master,  reported  that  there 
had  arrived  at  and  departed  from  Albany,  during  the 
year  1838,  the  following  vessels,  (exclusive  of  canal 
boats.) 


1838.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  287 

226  sloops, 11,445  tons. 

123  schooners 8,159 

7  scows, 360 

14  steam  boats 4,853 

15  steam  tow  boats,. 1,618 

2  brigs, 320 

444  vessels.  36,721 

Averaging  the  number  of  trips  at  2  each,  the  whole 
number  of  trips  will  be  6,180. 

1^39. 

Jan.  2.  The  Medical  College  was  opened  by  a  lecture 
from  David  M.  Reese,  M.  D. 

Jan.  3.  Col.  John  B.  Van  Schaick,  editor  of  the  Al- 
bany Daily  Advertiser,  and  a  gentleman  of  distinguished 
literary  reputation,  died,  aged  35. 

A  meeting  of  the  common  council  was  called  to  con- 
sider the  propriety  of  granting  the  petition,  asking  the 
corporation  to  assume  the  entire  expense  of  the  con- 
struction of  the  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge  rail  road. 

Jan.  6.     William  Ostrander  died. 

Jan.  7.     Susan,  wife  of  Samuel  Stevens,  died,  aged  38. 

The  medical  profession  held  a  meeting,  at  which  Dr. 
Jonathan  Eights  presided,  and  Dr.  M.  F.  Cogswell  was 
secretary,  which  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  advocating 
the  establishment  of  a  hospital. 

Jan.  10.  John  Van  Ness  Yates  died,  aged  60.  He  was 
the  son  of  Chief  Justice  Yates,  and  came  to  this  city  at 
the  age  of  14,  to  study  law  in  the  office  of  John  V.  Henry. 

Jan.  14.  Adah,  wife  of  Wm.  Fitch,  died,  aged  26. 

Jan.  19.  Robert  Bowie  died,  aged  60. 

Jan.  21.  Jared  L.  Rathbone  was  elected  mayor  in  place 
of  Teunis  Van  Vechten  resigned. 

Jan.  22.   Cold  day;  thermometer  14  below  0. 

Jan.  26.  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  the  venerable 
patroon,  died  at  the  Manor  House,  aged  75.  Respected 
for  his  services  on  the  battle-field  and  in  the  counci 


288  Notes  from  the  Newspapers  1839. 

chamber  of  the  nation  ;  eminent  for  the  virtues  which 
adorned  his  public  and  his  private  life;  beloved  for  the 
benevolence  which  made  many  partakers  of  the  wealth 
bestowed  upon  him;  after  a  long  career  of  honor  and 
usefulness,  he  sank  calmly  and  contentedly  to  his  final 
repose.  An  account  of  his  life  and  services  may  be 
found  in  vol.  in,  p.  281. 

Jan.  26.  An  express  was  started  by  Messrs.  Baker 
&  Walker,  to  carry  the  intelligence  of  the  Patroon's 
death  to  New  York.  A  Mr.  Dimmick  left  Albany  14 
minutes  before  6  p.  m.  in  a  sulkey.  At  Redhook,  he 
tfbund  a  bridge  gone,  but  mounted  his  horse  and  swam 
rthe  stream  drawing  the  sulkey  after  him.  At  Fishkill  the 
obstruction  was  much  more  formidable.  The  bridge  was 
gone,  and  the  road  for  more  than  half  a  mile  inundated. 
He  again  mounted  his  horse,  who  pushed  gallantly  into 
the  flood  and  swam,  with  his  rider  and  sulkey  over  a 
quarter  of  a  mile,  bringing  both  safely  to  the  opposite 
ishore.  Notwithstanding  these  and  other  obstructions 
the  express  arrived  at  the  Carlton  House  at  20  minutes 
past  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  having  rode  over  the  dis- 
tance of  about  150  miles  in  14h.  31m.  The  record  of 
such  an  enterprise  enables  us  more  fully  to  realize  the 
advantages  of  the  telegraph. 

There  was  a  great  freshet  at  this  time,  and  the  river 
rose  to  an  unusual  height.  A  soup  house  was  opened  at 
the  City  Hall  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  had  been 
driven  out  of  their  homes. 

Jan.  27.  Loren  Webster  died  at  Toronto,  Canada. 
Robert  Swain,  Jr.,  died  in  Texas,  aged  24. 

Jan.  31.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Watters  died,  aged  64. 

Adelia,  wife  of  William  Brown,  died,  aged  25. 

The  number  of  paupers  in  the  Almshouse,  was  532. 
There  was  besides  a  soup  house  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  hungry,  which  was  a  much  abused  institution. 

The  profits  of  the  Greenbush  ferry  for  the  year  past, 
amounted  to  $1,081-92. 

Feb.  1.     Mrs.  Mary  McKay  died,  aged  62. 

Feb.  5.     Mrs.  Rebecca  McChesney  died,  aged  63. 


1839.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  289 

Feb.  6.  The  Rev.  Edward  Allen  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  Fourth  Presbyterian  church. 

Feb.  7.  James  Porter,  register  of  the  court  of  chan- 
cery, died,  aged  52. 

Feb.  9.     Thomas  Breeman  died,  aged  30. 

Feb.  13.  A  fire  destroyed  the  plaster  factory  of  Thos. 
Carroll,  in  North  Market  street,  and  nearly  destroyed 
the  old  Payn  tavern  ;  loss  about  $3,000. 

Feb.  14.  Mrs.  Ann  McConnell  died,  aged  70. 

Feb.  15.  Gertrude,  widow  of  Richard  S.  Treat,  and 
daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  Stringer,  died. 

John  Tayler  Cooper  was  appointed  Major-General  of 
the  1st  Division  of  New  York  State  Cavalry,  in  place  of 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  deceased. 

A  fire  destroyed  the  stable  of  Gregory  &  Nelson,  corner 
of  Quay  and  Orange  streets. 

Feb.  19.  Simeon  P.  Haskell  died,  aged  57. 

Feb.  20.  Joseph  Barrett  died,  aged  21. 

Feb.  21.  Parmenas  Jones  died,  aged  87. 

Harriet,  wife  of  Gerrit  Lansing,  Jr.,   died, 
aged  57. 

Feb.  22.  James  Boyd  died,  aged  77. 

Feb.  25.  Edwin  A.  Seymour  died  in  New  York,  aged  34. 

Feb.  26.  Eliza,  wife  of  Henry  Morse,  died. 

The  chamberlain  reported  the  receipts  of  his  office  for 
the  month  of  February  $32,205-56;  expenses,  $17,715.54. 
That  the  cost  of  the  new  steam  boat  for  the  Greenbush 
ferry  was  $8,688'25.  A  resolution  passed  the  board  to 
allow  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  rail  road  to  be  extended 
from  Gansevoort  street  north,  to  Ferry  street. 

March  1.  Susan,  wife  of  Isaac  La  Grange,  died, 
aged  31. 

Mary,  wife  of  Matthew  Howard,  died,  aged  51. 

March  2.  The  Museum  Building  took  fire,  and  greatly 
damaged  that  establishment  and  the  stores  beneath. 

March  4.  Irene,  wife  of  John  Rockenstyne,  died, 
aged  39. 

Books  were  opened  at  the  City  Hotel  for  subscriptions 
to  the  increased  stock  of  the  Exchange  Bank. 


290  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1839. 

March  9.     Peter  Van  Wie  died,  aged  66. 

March  11.  Mary  Augusta,  wife  of  Oliver  Steele,  died, 
aged  37. 

March  13.  A  fire  destroyed  a  part  of  Many's  furnace, 
in  Beaver  street. 

March  14.  John  C.  Shifter  died,  aged  36. 

March  16.  H.  W.  Preston  announced  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  sudden  and  unexpected  transfer  of  the 
Theatre  to  the  vestry  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  which  pre- 
vented the  fulfillment  of  many  prominent  engagements,  he 
proposed  to  erect  a  new  theatre. 

March  21.  The  carpenter's  shopofRuel  Clapp,  corner 
of  Franklin  and  Bass  streets,  was  burnt. 

March  23.  Martha,  wife  of  Denison  Worthington,  died. 

March  25.  The  river  was  open,  and  the  steam  boat 
Swallow  arrived. 

March,  Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was  removed 
from  the  post  office,  where  he  had  officiated  seventeen 
years.  His  successor  was  Azariah  C.  Flagg. 

April  2.  The  stable  belonging  to  Hatch's  tavern, 
corner  of  North  Market  and  Orange  streets,  was  burnt, 
with  the  entire  contents  including  seven  horses. 

April  4.     Hiram  Traver  died,  aged  28. 

Noadiah  Johnson,  a  senator,  from  Delaware 
county,  died. 

April  9.  The  Centre  Market  building  took  fire,  and 
was  much  damaged. 

April  12.  Jacob  Hiney  died,  aged  66. 

April  15.  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  Richard  Bedell,  died. 

April  16.  Laura  Ann,  wife  of  Hiram  Perry,  died, 
aged  29. 

April  20.  4-  fire  broke  out  in  the  stable  of  the  Pearl 
Street  House,  which  produced  the  greatest  conflagration 
that  had  occurred  in  this  city  for  a  great  many  years. 
It  burnt  down  almost  the  whole  square  formed  by  Pearl, 
Lydius,  Rose  and  Hamilton  streets  ;  and  the  sparks 
from  it  set  fire  to  an  out  building  in  Herkimer  street, 
which  extended  to  and  destroyed  the  Methodist  Church, 
in  that  street,  and  several  other  buildings.  The  loss  was 
over  $100,000. 


1839.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  291 

April  18.  The  journeymen  masons  held  a  meeting,  and 
resolved  to  require  $2  a  day  for  their  labor. 

April  22.  The  chamberlain  reported  the  city  finances 
for  the  last  four  years  as  follows : 

1836  1837  1838  1839 

Expenses, 179,172-11  241,681'65  190,658*85  161,128'92 

Taxes, 40,52504  48,845'l4  47,622'57  56,309'06 

Poor  tax, 10,000-00  17,000'00  25.009'00  24,000'00 

50,525-54       65,845-14       72,622*57       80,309'06 

April  23.  Nancy,  widow  of  Peter  Bain  died  at  Gal  way. 
Mrs.  Wilhelmina  Van  Schaick  died. 

The  number  of  paupers  in  the  Almhouse  had  steadily 
increased  from  257  in  Aug.,  1835,  to  639  in  Feb.,  1838; 
the  number  was  527  in  April,  1839. 

April  27.  Mary  Margaret,  widow  of  Capt.  Isaac  Sea- 
man, died  at  Schenectady,  aged  82. 

April  28.  A  fire  in  High  street,  destroyedjseveral  ten- 
ements. 

April  29.  Martha,  wife  of  Edward  C.  Dennison,  died, 
aged  47. 

April.  The  Committee  which  had  been  appointed  by 
the  common  council  to  put  a  soup  house  in  operation 
during  the  inclement  season,  reported  that  they  began  to 
deliver  soup  on  the  28th  January,  and  continued  it  till 
the  26th  of  March,  in  all  56  days;  that  during  that  time, 
they  supplied  306  families,  averaging  five  persons  each, 
in  all  1,530  persons  supplied  daily  with  a  pint  of  soup 
to  each  person,  with  a  piece  of  bread  and  meat  to  each 
family.  The  total  expenses  were  $1,473*46  ;  received 
from  private  donations  and  concert  of  Sacred  Music  As- 
sociation, $923'10,  leaving  $550'36  to  be  paid  by  the 
chamberlain,  which  was  a  fraction  of  one-third  of  a  cent 
per  day  for  each  person. 

May  5.     Richard  S.  Treat  died,  aged  37. 

May  6.  Garret  L.  Dox  was  appointed  justice  of  the 
Justices  court. 

Dr.  John  F.  Townsend,  aid  to  Gov.  Seward,  was 
unanimously  elected  Brig.  General  of  the  1st  Brigade  of 
Horse  Artillery. 


292 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


2839. 


May  8. 


•Aldermen. 


Charter  Election  ;  result  as  follows  : 

WHIGS.  First  Ward.         DEMOCRATS. 

Erastus  Corning, 454 

Barent  P.  Staats, 472 

Benj.  Thomas, 4G5 

Adam  Todd, 401 

Isaac  Denniston, 459 


G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, ..  600 

Ralph  Pratt, 591 

Assistants.  Jas.  McClure, 603 

T.  F.  Bancroft, 595 

Supervisor.    C.  W.  Bender, 593 


Second   Ward. 

Aldermen.      Ichabod  L.  Judson, . .   474     Hiram  Perry, 390 

George  Merrifield,. . .   475     Daniel  S.  Kittle, 391 

Assistants.    Jesse  Buel  Jr 476     James  M.  French, ....  393 

Henry  Cassidy, .  391 


Jesse  Buel  Jr., 476 

Visscher  Ten  Eyck, .  470 

Supercisor.    Wm.  Newton, 470 

Third  Ward. 

Aldermen.      E.  W.  Skinner, 314 

John  Groesbeck, 305 

Assistants.    Arnold  Nelson 301 

Henry  Russell^ 306 

Supervisor.    George  Dexter, 311 


John  I.  Burton, 393 

I 

C.  A.  Ten  Eyck, 222 

Seth  Hastings, 213 

N.  N.  QuaUenbush, .  .  .  213 

Corns.  Ten  Broeck, . .  .  214 

E.  R.  Satterlee, 215 


Fourth  Ward. 


Aldermen.  Stephen  T.  Thorn, ..  513 
J.  R,  Dickerman, ...  504 

Assistants.  Thos.  McMullen,...  502 
WVdo  Corbit 501 

Supervisor.   Henry  Greene, 511 


George  Handford, 478 

Peter  P.  Staats, 484 

Peter  Cagger, 475 

C.  Livingston, 492 

Russell  Forsyth, 469 


Fifth   Ward. 

Aldermen.      Thos.  McElroy, 370     A^olphus  Colburn, 371 

Timothy  Spears, 372 

Richard  T.  Ferris, ....  376 

George  S.  Gibbons... ..  372 

J.  Van  Valkenburgb,..  349 


Assistants. 
Super  vieor. 

May  8. 


Gerrit  L.  Dox, 370 

Zebina  Belknap,....    360 

Wm.  Winne, 364 

Gitas  San  ford 365 

Gertrude,  widow  of  John  Gates,  died,  aged  85. 
Legislature  adjourned. 
May  13.  Milo  Shaw  died,  aged  71. 
The  North  Dutch  church  relinquished  their  right  to 
dockage  at  the  old  Watering  place,  in  payment  of  a  claim 
of  the  corporation. 

May  19  Sylvester  Lyman  died,  aged  63. 
There  were  two  infant  schools  in  operation  at  this 
time  ;  one  in  Orchard  street,  and  one  in  Spring  street. 
One  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city  had  been  closed  re- 
cently, and  there  was  a  lack  of  funds  to  carry  on  the 
others.  During  the  ten  years  since  they  were  organized, 


1839.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  293 

it  was  estimated  that  about  6,000  children  had  been 
benefitted  by  them.  The  funds  were  mostly  derived 
from  church  collections. 

May  20.  An  election  was  held  to  decide  whether  the 
common  council  should  be  authorized  to  borrow  $400,000 
to  aid  the  construction  of  the  Albany  and  West  Stock- 
bridge  rail  road.  The  result  was  3,245  votes  for  the 
loan,  and  625  against  it.  This  was  claimed  by  the  news- 
papers to  be  the  "  first  strong  demonstration  in  favor  of 
internal  improvement." 

May  23.  Gen.  H.  V.  Du  Coudray  Holstein,  a  distin- 
guished officer  and  diplomat  of  Bonaparte,  died,  aged  76. 
He  was  a  native  of  Germany,  but  entered  the  French  ser- 
vice, and  acquired  the  confidence  of  Napoleon.  On  the 
restoration  of  the  Bourbons,  he  went  to  South  America, 
where  he  found  scope  for  his  military  skill.  On  leaving 
that  service  he  went  to  New  York,  and  delivered  lectures 
on  military  tactics,  which  were  attended  by  the  first  men 
of  that  city.  He  was  soon  after  appointed  to  fill  the 
chair  of  professor  of  modern  languages,  at  Geneva  college, 
whence  he  removed  to  Albany,  and  taught  French  in  the 
Female  Academy,  and  during  his  residence  here,  won 
the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  had  resided  here 
six  years. 

May  27.  The  common  council  appointed  its  city  offi- 
cers :  George  W.  Weed,  clerk  ;  Hazael  Kane,  police 
justice  ;  Robert  H.  Pruyn,  attorney. 

Thomas  M.  Gillespie  died,  aged  40. 

May  28.  Welcome  Esleeck  died,  aged  45. 

May  30.  Lcvi  Steele  died,  aged  63. 

Catharine,   wife   of  Matthew   Logan,    died, 

aged  58. 
Col.  John  B.  Manning,  died. 

June  5.  Susan  S.,  wife  of  Wm.  McCammon,  died, 
aged  25. 

June  10.  William  Gill  died,  aged  63. 

A  bell  was  directed  to  be  palced  in  the  cupola 
of  the  Jail,  to  be  rung  in  cases  of  fire. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  a  communication 


294  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1839. 

was  received  from  Messrs.  Thomas  W.  Olcott,  Marcus 
T.  Reynolds,  and  Lewis  Benedict,  stating  that  they  had 
been  appointed  a  committee  by  the  directors  of  the  Al- 
bany and  West  Stockbridge  Rail  Road  Company,  and 
asked  the  appointment  of  a  similar  committee  on  the 
part  of  the  board  ;  whereupon,  the  mayor  appointed 
Messrs.  Pratt.  Ten  Eyck,  Skinner  and  McMullen. 

June  1 1 .  Catharine  Eliza  Todd  died,  aged  25. 

June  12.  Francis  Bloodgood  was  reelected  president 
of  the  New  York  State  Bank,  and  Rufus  H.  King,  vice- 
president. 

June  17.  James  Boughton  died,  aged  21. 

Getty  Ten  Eyck  died,  aged  64,  at  Cazenovia. 

June  25.  Mary,  wife  of  Henry  H.  Buckbee,  died,  aged  34. 

June  26.  Anna,  wife  of  Isaac  P.  Garrison,  died,  aged  37. 

July  1.  The  common  council  resolved  to  borrow 
$650>000,  with  which  to  purchase  $300,000  of  the  stock 
of  the  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge  rail  road,  and  to 
loan  the  remainder  to  subscribers  to  the  stock,  to  enable 
them  to  make  payments. 

July  4.  Thomas  Rector,  convicted  of  manslaughter 
in  the  second  degree,  for  killing  young  Shepherd,  was 
sentenced  by  Judge  Nelson,  to  seven  years  of  imprison- 
ment. 

July  4.     John  Bonner  died,  aged  75. 

The  customary  oration  of  the  day  was  de- 
livered by  Solomon  Southwick,  and  published  by  order 
of  the  common  council. 

July  8.  Mrs.  Martha  Bacon,  mother  of  John  F.  Bacon, 
died,  aged  72. 

Thomas  Shallow  died,  aged  53. 
Jacob  Brinckerhoff,  died. 

July  10.  Smith  Weed  died,  aged  85.  He  was  a  native 
of  Stamford,  Conn.,  and  a  commissary  in  the  army, 
during  most  of  the  revolutionary  war.  At  the  battle  of 
Danbury,  he  was  badly  wounded,  and  brought  off  the 
field  with  difficulty.  On  the  close  of  the  war  he  became 
an  active  and  energetic  merchant. 

July  13.  Fanny,  wife  of  Wm.  W.  Wildman,  died, 
aged  40. 


1839.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  295 

July  13.  Ann  Jane,  wife  of  Samuel  Waddell,  died, 
aged  38. 

July  13.   Mrs.  Chrystie  McGlashan  died,  aged  71. 

July  15.    William  Vosburgh  died,  aged  66. 

July  17.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Paul,  pastor  of  the  Hamilton 
street  Baptist  church,  died,  aged  46. 

Elizabeth,   wife  of  James   D.  Fisher,  died, 
aged  40. 

July  24.  Martin  Van  Buren,  president  of  the  United 
States,  arrived  in  the  city,  and  was  addressed  by  Gov. 
Marcy,  in  front  of  the  City  Hall. 

July  25.  Joseph  H.  Gladding  died  at  New  Orleans, 
aged  38. 

July  29.  Henry  Merchant  died,  aged  35. 

Aug.  6.     Sarah,  wife  of  Wm.  Chatfield,  died,  aged  62. 

Aug.  8.  Wm.  D.  McLaughlin  died  in  New  York, 
aged  23. 

Aug.  10.  Catalina  Gibbons,  daughter  of  Sanford  Cobb, 
died,  aged  20. 

Aug.  15.  Nathaniel  Carpenter  died,  aged  37. 

Gloriana,  wife  of  James  Wood,  died,  aged  45. 

Aug.  16.  A.  D.  Campbell,  died,  aged  37. 

Aug.  17.  Jane,  widow  of  John  Newton,  died,  aged  78. 

Henry  Clay,  the  American  statesman,  arrived  in  the 
city,  and  remained  at  tbe  Eagle  Tavern,  until  the  morn- 
ing of  the  19th,  when  he  took  the  steam  boat  to  New 
York.  He  was  accompanied  from  Troy,  by  Messrs. 
John  Townsend,  D.  D.  Barnard,  John  Bay,  in  a  barouche. 
On  entering  the  city,  a  very  long  processsion  had  joined 
the  escort,  Gen.  Townsend  acting  as  marshal,  with 
Messrs.  Wm.  Bloodgood,  R.  H.  Pruyn,  Samuel  Van 
Vechten  and  B.  .F  Townsend,  as  assistants. 

Aug.  23.  Benjamin  Knower  died,  aged  64.  He  was 
a  resident  of  the  city  nearly  forty  years;  and  although 
he  began  life  as  a  mechanic,  soon  entered  upon  extensive 
commercial  transactions.  His  career  was  distinguished 
for  enterprise  and  public  spirit,  and  he  passed  through  it 
with  a  reputation  for  integrity  unsullied,  and  for  business 
capacity  unsurpassed.  He  was  for  a  long  time  connected 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1839. 

with,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  management  of  the 
Mechanics  and  Farmers'  bank,  of  which  he  was  president. 
In  1821,  he  was  solicited  to  take  the  office  of  state 
treasurer,  which  he  held  until  the  fall  of  1824,  when  he 
resigned.  Mr.  Knower  was  a  hatter  by  occupation,  and 
having  many  apprentices,  most  of  them,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  were  without  pecuniary  means,  or  friends  able  to 
assist  them.  He  seemed  to  regard  it  not  only  as  a  duty, 
but  a  source  of  personal  gratification,  to  extend  to  them 
a  helping  hand  at  this  critical  moment  in  their  lives. 
His  place  of  business  was  a  few  doors  below  the  corner 
of  Hudson  street,  in  Broadway,  on  the  west  side. 

The  steamboat  Albany,  Capt.  Jenkins,  left  New  York 
at  7h.  13m.,  and  having  made  15  landings  arrived,  at 
her  deck  at  4h.  20m.,  performing  the  trip  in  9h.  7m. 

Aug.  28.  Eliza,  wife  of  Frederick  S.  Barnard,  died. 

Sept.  1.     Covel  L'Amoreaux  died  at  Mobile,  aged  32. 

Sept.  2.     Frederick  King  died,  aged  39. 

The  steamboat  Rochester,  arrived  from  New  York,  at 
Ih.  35m.  in  the  morning,  having  come  through,  without 
landing,  in  8h.  35m. 

It  was  announced  in  Southwick's  Family  Newspaper, 
that  Dr.  O'Callaghan,  one  of  the  exiled  patriots  of  Canada, 
having  the  reputation  of  a  man  of  sound  learning  and 
science,  had  taken  up  his  residence  in  Albany,  with  a 
view  of  retiring  from  politics  and  devoting  himself  en- 
tirely to  his  profession,  that  of  a  physician. 

Sept.  4.  Trinity  church  was  organized.  Services 
were  held  in  Westerlo  street,  between  Church  and 
Dallius.  A  week  subsequently,  the  Rev.  Isaac  Swart 
was  chosen  rector,  and  accepted  the  office.  This  formed 
the  third  Episcopal  church  in  Albany. 

Sept.  14.  Thomas  Robinson  died,  aged  42. 

Sept.  18.  Matthew  M.  Cole  died  in  Washington. 

Passengers  who  left  New  York  in  the  Albany  boats, 
arrived  at  Buffalo  in  fifty  hours,  which  the  Buffalo  Com- 
mercial Advertiser  thought  was  as  quick  travelling  as 
any  reasonable  man  could  wish. 

Sept.  25.  John  Van  Valkenburgh  died  in  New  York, 
aged  29. 


1839.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  297 

Sept.  25.  The  steam  boat  Albany  arrived  from  New- 
York  in  8h.  49m.  Deducting  one  hour  for  making  ten 
landings,  her  running  time  was  7h.  49m.,  which  had  not 
been  equaled. 

Sept.  28.  Wm.  Gough  died  at  Natchitoches,  aged  27. 

Oct.  2.  Jennet,  widow  of  Henry  B.  Cook,  died, 
aged  47. 

Oct.  6.  Jesse  Buel  died  at  DaTibury,  Conn.,  aged  63. 
He  was  a  native  of  Coventry  Ct.,  and  was  bred  a  printer, 
He  removed  to  Albany  in  1813  from  Ulster  county,  and 
established  the  Albany  ^rgws,  and  was  state  printer 
from  1814  to  1821,  when  he  retired  to  a  farm  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  city,  known  as  the  Albany  Nursery. 
He  represented  the  city  for  a  number  of  years  in  the  legis- 
lature, and  was  a  regent  of  the  University.  He  was  a 
candidate  for  governor  in  1836.  But  it  was  as  an 
agriculturist  that  he  was  preeminent,  and  had  a  world- 
wide reputation. 

Jellis  D.  Winne  died  at  Savannah,  aged  29. 

Oct.  8.     Asahel  North  died,  aged  53. 

Oct.  15.  Margaret,  widow  of  John  S.  Pruyn,  died, 
aged  68. 

Oct.  19.  John  Meacham  died,  aged  86. 
Charles  W.  Hills  died,  aged  23, 

Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer,  tried  at  the  United  States 
circuit  court,  on  a  charge  of  setting  on  foot  a  military 
expedition  within  the  United  States  against  a  foreign 
power,  was  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  six  months 
imprisonment,  and  to  pay  a  fine  of  $250. 

Dr.  Rensselaer  Gansevoort  died  in  Louisiana,  aged  39. 

Nov.  3.  Harriet  E.,  wife  of  James  D.  Wasson, 
died. 

Nov.  6.  The  election  closed.  Friend  Humphrey  was 
chosen  member  of  the  senate,  and  H.  G.  Wheaton  mem- 
ber of  assembly,  and  the  whig  ticket  succeeded. 

Nov.  11.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  common  council, 
the  following  sums  of  money  were  voted  to  be  raised  by 
tax: 

[ Annals,  x.]  26 


298  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1839. 

For  lamps  and  city  watch, $15,000 

contingencies, 20,000 

interst  on  city  debt, 5,000 

City  Hall, 5,000 

building  school  houses, 2,500 

interest  on  loan  for  do, 3,000 

$50,500 

.Nov.  1 2.  Phoebe,  wife  of  John  McKnight,  died,  aged  25. 

Nov.  15.  Allen  Plum  died,  aged  62. 

Nov.  18.  Solomon  Southwick  died,  aged  66.  For  a 
biographical  sketch  and  portrait  of  him,  see  vol.  v.,  p. 
104. 

Margaret  McDonald  died,  aged  45. 

Nov.  19.  John  F.  Dunlop  died,  late  of  Boston. 

Nov  24.  Mrs.  Mary  Linacre  died,  aged  28. 

Nov.  25.  Zachariah  Booth  died,  aged  34. 

Nov.  26.  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Jeremiah  Osborn,  died, 
aged  58. 

Nov.  28.  Robert  Martin,  dyer,  died,  aged  40. 

Nov.  29.  Wm.  Bridgeford  died,  aged  50. 

Nov.  30.  The  sheriff  of  the  county,  Michael  Artcher, 
having  been  resisted  by  the  anti-renters  in  some  of  the 
towns,  called  out  the  posse  comitatus.  Nearly  a  thousand 
citizens  were  called  upon  to  accompany  him  into  the 
fastnesses  of  the  Helderberg. 

Dec.  2.     Wm.  Lathrop  died,  aged  42. 

Sarah  W.,  wife  of  Horace  Meacham,  died, 
aged  51. 

Dec.  2.  The  sheriff's  posse  set  out  for  Reedsville  about 
600  strong.  They  met  with  no  opposition  until  they 
arrived  at  a  place  about  four  miles  beyond  Clarkesville, 
when  several  hundred  men  on  horses  opposed  their  pro- 
gress, and  they  were  forced  to  turn  back.  They  reached 
their  homes  about  9  o'clock  at  night,  wearied  and  worn 
with  the  fatigue  of  a  march  to  which  they  were  wholly 
unaccustomed.  This  was  the  beginning  of  what  was 
termed  the  anti-rent  war. 

Dec.  7.     Harriet  Gansevoort  died,  aged  59. 


1839.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  299 

Dec.  9.  The  sheriff  proceeded  into  the  anti-rent  dis- 
trict, accompanied  by  several  military  companies  ;  they 
halted  at  Clarke's  tavern,  in  Clarkesville,  and  established 
military  jurisdiction.  On  the  following  day,  the  Gov- 
ernor issued  a  proclamation  declaring  his  determination 
to  maintain  the  supremacy  of  the  laws. 

Dec.  10.  Robert  Stewart  died,  aged  72. 

Dec.  11.  Gen.  Averill  of  Montgomery  county,  arrived 
in  town  with  500  troops  from  Montgomery  county  des- 
tined for  the  invasion  of  the  Helderberg.  The  belli- 
gerents finding  that  formi4able  arrangements  were  being 
made  for  their  overthrow,  came  in  and  surrendered. 
The  sheriff  thereupon,  proceeded  to  serve  the  processes 
without  meeting  any  opposition,  and  the  Montgomery 
county  army  had  permission  to  return  home. 

Dec.  15.  The  sheriff  with  the  military  companies  from 
Albany  and  Troy,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Blood- 
good,  which  had  been  on  duty  during  the  week  past,  at 
the  Helderberg,  returned  to  the  city,  having  marched 
over  a  heavy  road,  and  through  deep  snow,  12  miles, 
amid  a  storm  of  great  severity.  They  left  the  city  one 
week  before  in  a  heavy  rain  storm,  had  been  on  active 
duty  during  the  week,  and  subjected  to  many  privations 
necessarily  incident  to  so  sudden  and  ill-provided  an  ex- 
pedition. The  military  force  employed  by  the  sheriff 
consisted  of 

Albany  Burgesses  Corps,  Capt.  Bayeux. 

Albany  Union  Guards,  Capt.  Brown. 

Albany  Republican  Artillery,  Capt.  Strain. 

1st  Company  Van  Rensselaer  Guards,  Capt.  Kearney. 

2d  Company  Van  Rensselaer  Guards,  Capt.  Berry. 

Troy  Artillery,  Capt.  Howe. 

Troy  Citizens  Corps,  Capt.  Pierce. 

Troy  City  Guards,  Capt.  Wickes. 

These  companies  consisted  of  the  flower  of  the  Cities 
of  Albany  and  Troy,  and  acquitted  themselves  with 
great  credit  under  circumstances  of  great  delicacy  and 
responsibility. 

Dec.  15.  Wm.  Crandall  died,  aged  71. 


300  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1839. 

Dec.  19.   Wm.  Giles  Dunlop  died,  aged  28. 

Dec.  20.  Thomas  N.  Barker  died,  aged  24. 

The  river  was  closed  ;  the  boats  being  merely 
able  to  reach  Rhinebeck. 

Dec.  22.  William  Chadwick  died,  aged  48. 

Dec.  25.  Mrs.  Isabella  Hunter  died,  aged  80. 

Dec.  28.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Asahel  Hall,  died,  aged  58. 

Dec.  29.  Francis  Horth  died,  aged  41. 

Dec.  30.  Jared  L.  Rathbone  was  reelected  mayor  of 
the  city. 

The  chamberlain's  report  of  the  receipts  and  expenses 
of  the  Greenbush  ferry  showed  a  profit  of  $828'42,  for 
•the  year  1839. 

1840. 

Jan.  3.     Mrs.  Sophia  Willard  died,  aged  67. 

Jan.  6.     Mrs.  Susannah  Miller  died,  aged  73. 

George  Combe,  of  Edinburg,  delivered  a  course  of  lec- 
tures on  Phrenology  at  the  Female  Academy.  The  fine 
•collection  of  busts  in  that  institution  was  purchased  of 
him. 

Jan.  1 1.  Janet,  widow  of  Donald  Frazer,  died,  aged  66. 

Jan.  13.  Mrs.  Hannah  Dillingham  died,  aged  75. 

Jan.  19.  James  Millbank  died,  aged  48. 

Jan.  25.  Hugh  Johnson  died,  aged  48. 

Jan.  30.  Clarissa,  wife  of  Robert  Thompson,  died. 

Jan.  31.  Mrs.  Caroline  Vanderhoof  died,  aged  38. 

A  meeting  was  held  in  the  vestry  of  St.  Peter's  church, 
lo  organize  a  society  for  the  purpose  of  providing  a  con- 
venient place  of  worship  for  boatmen  and  others. 
Thaddeus  Joy  was  appointed  chairman,  and  James 
Taylor  secretary.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  make 
preliminary  arrangements,  consisting  of  E.  P.  Prentice, 
Israel  Williams,  Thomas  McElroy,  Daniel  Peck,  Wm. 
E.  Bleecker,  and  the  chairman  and  secretary. 

Feb.  3.  Arriet,  wife  of  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer, 
died,  aged  65. 

Feb.  4.     At  the  annual  election  of  the  Young  Men's 


'  I ' 

4     ! 

Ty 

1840.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  301 

, 

Association  for  Mutual  Improvement  in  the  City  of  Al- 
bany, the  following  officers  were  chosen  for  the  ensuing 
year : 

Wm.  E.  Bleecker,  president. 

Charles  T.  Smyth,  Robert  S.  Cushman,  Arthur 

C.  Southwick,  vice  presidents. 
Cornelius  Ten  Broeck,  cor.  secretary. 
Stephen  D.  Van  Schaick,  rec.  secretary. 
Charles  L.  Garfield,  treasurer. 

Feb.  8.    The  carpenter  shop  of  John  Boardman,  27 
Beaver  street,  was  burnt;  loss  $1,200,  insured  $500. 
Feb.  10.  Mrs.  Harriet TLansing  died,  aged  56. 
Feb.  11.  Maria,  wife  of  E.  M.  Courtright,  died,  aged  32. 
Polly,  wife  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Smith,  died, 

aged  79. 
Feb.  12.  Richard  Watson  died,  aged  43. 

Dr.  Benj.  Shelton  died  at  Mishawaka,  Ind., 

aged  27. 

Feb.  17.  Mary,  wife  of  Dr.  John  Fisher,  died. 
Feb.  20.  Henry  Diblee  died,  aged  62. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  H.  G.  Spafford,  died. 
Feb.  21.  The  stables  corner  of  Eagle  and  Hudson  st. 
belonging  to  Mr.  St.  John,  were  burnt. 

Mrs.  Susannah  Lansing  died. 

Feb.  22.  St.  Paul's  church  in  South  Pearl  street,  was 
consecrated  by  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Onderdonk. 

Feb.  23.  Mrs.  Cornelia  Hallenbake  died,  aged  92. 

The  post  office  was  removed  in  the  Exchange 

building. 

Feb.  26.  The  river  was  open  and  the  Kosciusko  ar- 
rived from  New  York. 

March  1.     Mrs.  Margaret  Russell  died,  aged  80. 
March  2.     The  river  was  open  and  the  steam  boat 
Utica  arrived. 

The  grade  of  Lodge  street  between  Howard 

and  Beaver,  was  established. 
March  4.     Moses  B.  Ward  died,  aged  22. 
March  5.  Francis  Bloodgood  died,  aged  72.     He  had 
been  during  forty  years  a  useful  and  respectable  citizen. 


302  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1840. 

He  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  pursued  the  profes- 
sion of  the  law,  and  was  many  years  clerk  of  the  supreme 
court ;  several  years  mayor  of  the  city ;  at  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  president  of  the  State  Bank,  of  which  he 
was  one  of  the  founders,  and  the  last  of  the  original 
board  of  directors  of  that  bank.  He  was  distinguished 
for  the  excellence  of  his  disposition  and  the  integrity  of 
his  character. 

March  15.  Ann  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Wm.  Todd,  died, 
aged  29. 

John  F.  Bacon  for  many  years  clerk  of  the 
senate,  was  appointed  consul  for  the  port  of  Nassau. 

March  16.  Teuhis  Van  Vechten  was  elected  president 
of  the  Albany  Insurance  Company  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Francis  Bloodgood.  Rufus 
H.  King  was  also  elected  president  of  the  New  York  State 
Bank,  to  succeed  Mr.  Bloodgood. 

March  24.  Dr.  Ashbel  Steele  Webster  died,  aged  44. 
William  Blackall  died,  aged  73. 

March  25.  George  Webb  died,  aged  27. 

March  30.  Wm.  W.  Coughtry  died. 

April  3.  Alda,  widow  of  Robert  Dunbar,  Jr.,  died, 
aged  67. 

April  4.     Dr.  Stephen  Arnold,  died,  aged  47. 

April  10.  Gertrude,  wife  of  Jeremiah  Smith,  died, 
aged  77. 

April  13.  The  common  council  appropriated  $50  to- 
wards purchasing  a  bell  for  the  Third  Dutch  Reformed 
Church  in  Ferry  street. 

April  16.  Mary,  wife  of  James  Sickles,  died,  aged  66. 

April  18.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Ca- 
pitol, to  deliberate  on  the  construction  of  the  Albany  and 
West  Stockbridge  rail  road  ;  Jared  L.  Rathbone  chair- 
man, Thomas  W.  Olcott  and  Erastus  Corning  vice-chair- 
men ;  H.  G.  Wheaton  and  J.  Q.  Wilson  secretaries.  A 
series  of  resolutions  was  introduced  by  S.  De  Witt 
Bloodgood,  for  the  active  prosecution  of  the  enterprise. 

April  21.  An    ostensorium,   partly  silver,  was   stolen 


1840. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


303 


out  of  St.  John's  church  in  this  city;  a  reward  of  $100 
was  offered  for  the  thief. 

The    chamberlain    reported    the    city    debt     to    be 
$388,187-29.     The    receipts    for   the    past    year   were 
$254,832-39  ;  expenditures  $246,055*47. 
April  23.  Andrew  Kerker  died,  aged  23. 
April  24.  William  Boyd  died,  aged  65. 
April  26.  Israel  Williams  died,  aged  55. 

Alexander  Cameron  died,  aged  39. 
Mary,  wife  of  Henry  Smith,  died,  aged  29. 
Wm.  W.  Staats,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  at 

Penn  Yam 

April  27.  Jared   L.  Rathbone  resigned   the  office  of 
mayor  of  the  city. 

April  29.  Mary,  wife  of  Robert  Morrow,  died. 
April  30.  Orren  Lincoln  died,  aged  47. 
May  5,     Charter  election ;   polls  open  one  day  from 
9  A.  M.  to  6  P.  M.     The  whigs  carried  the  city.  " 
WHIGS.  DEMOCRATS. 

First  Ward. 


Mayor, 
Aldermen, 

Assistants, 

Mayor, 
Aldermen, 

Jared  L.  Rathbone,..  651     Erastus  Corning,  
G.  V.  S.  Bleecker,...   666     Barent  P.  Staats,  
John  D.  Hewson,...   660     A.  C.  Southwick,  
James  McClure,....    670     Isaiah  Townsend,  
Wm.  Broadman,....   669     Stephen  G.  Mink,  
Second  Ward. 
Jared  L.  Rathbone,  ..  512     Erastus  Corning,  
George  Merri  field,.  .  .   507     Daniel  S.  Kittle,  

501 
488 
473 
474 
474 

389 
386 
412 

Assistants, 
Mayor, 

Thos.  Kirkpatrick,..    504     Nathaniel  Gallup,  
Spencer  S.  Benedict,  .   504     John  McKnight,  
Third   Ward. 
Jared  L.  Rathbone,.  .   361     Erastus  Corning  

390 
390 

^67 

Aldermen, 

John  Groesbeck,  .  .  .  .    372     Seth  Hastings  

<M8 

Arnold  Nelson,..*..  349     Beriah  Douglas    

237 

Assistants, 
Mayor, 

Henry  Russell,  354    N.  N.  Quakenbush,  
S.  Van  Vecthen,  365     C.  Ten  Broeck,  
Fourth    Ward. 

249 
261 

f>?S 

Aldermen, 

James  Robinson,  ....    551     G    Hanford      

508 

Joel  R.  Dickerman,..  556     C.  Vosburgh,  

504 

Assistants, 

Thos.  McMullen,  .  .  .   540     P.  Cagger  

513 

H.  C.  Whelplty  540     J.  Osborn,.  , 

516 

304  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1840. 

WHIG.  DEMOCRAT. 

Fifth  Ward. 

Mayor,          Jared  L.  Rathbone, . .   410     Erastus  Corning, 414 

dldermcn,     Thos.  McElroy, 435     R.  [.Ferris, 385 

Zebina  Belknap, 413     C.  Chapman,* 413 

Assistants,    J.  M.  D.  Mclntyre, .  423     H.  Q.  Hawley, 400 

N.G.King, 427     A.Carroll, 398 

May  5.     Gerrit  R.  Van  Zandt  died,  aged  72. 
May  9.     Edmund  B.  Child  died  ;  several  years  printer 
of  the  American   Masonic  Record,  and  of  the  Albany 
Directory. 

May  14.  The  legislature  adjourned,  having  passed  318 
laws. 

A  person  of  infinite  leisure  took  the  following  account 
of  vehicles  and  persons  that  passed  the  Montgomery 
Hall  in  South  Market  street,  below  Hudson,  between  the 
hours  of  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  8  in  the  evening, 
after  which  hour  he  ceased  to  keep  count,  although  more 
were  then  passing  than  at  any  previous  hour. 

Foot, 9,762 

Wagons 407 

Stages, 146 

Carts,., 193 

Horse  and  man, 41 

The  expenditures  of  the  Fire  Department  for  six 
years  ending  May  1st,  were  as  follows  : 

1835  $3,477-16       1838    $  3,834-60 

1836  5,679-69      1839     4,107'98 

1837  6,847-94      1840     10,950-30 

May  15.  Catharine,  widow  of  Capt.  Hugh  Boyd,  died, 
aged  67. 

Stephen  Lush  Bradford  died. 

June  1.     Barent   Bleecker,   died,  aged   80.     He  was 
some  time  president  of  the  Bank  of  Albany. 
June  7.     John  D.  Barry,  pilot,  died,  aged  40. 

Judith,  widow  of  Capt.  Elihu   S.  Bunker, 
died,  aged  59. 

#  There  were  two  ballots  for  C.  Chapman  which  were  counted  and 
gave  him  a  seat  in  the  board. 


1840.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  305 

June  14.  Wm.  J.  Staats  died,  aged  29. 

June  16.  Judah  Colt  died,  aged  33. 

Edward  Livingston  died,  a  public  man  of  distinction 
and  talents;  had  been  clerk  of  the  assembly,  district  at* 
torney,  city  representative,  and  speaker  of  the  assembly. 
John  Selkirk  died. 

June  26.  Ann  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Azor  Taber,  died, 
aged  25. 

Mrs.  Mary  Milway  died,  aged  60. 
Frederick  P.  James  died,  aged  42. 

June  27.  The  friends  of  "Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too," 
raised  a  log  cabin  on  the  corner  of  Maiden  lane  and 
Dean  street,  as  a  part  of  the  election  machinery  of  what 
was  termed  the  hard  cider  campaign.  Persons  from 
every  town  in  the  county  assisted  with  enthusiasm  in  the 
construction,  and  it  was  finished  in  one  day.  At  12 
o'clock  the  workmen  were  called  to  dinner  by  the 
blowing  of  a  horn,  in  the  loft  of  Grenville  Slack's  store, 
on  the  opposite  corner;  it  consisted  of  corn  bread  baked 
by  Stephen  Paddock,  pork  and  beans,  cold  ham,  &c., 
and  cider. 

Ben.  Atkins  died,  aged  44. 

June  29.  Elizabeth,  youngest  daughter  of  the  late 
Benjamin  V.  Clench,  died. 

June  30.  James  Merrifield  died,  aged  52. 

July  4.  The  oration  on  the  occasion  of  this  anniver- 
sary was  delivered  by  Uriah  Marvin,  Jr.;  reading  the 
Declaration  by  George  Vance,  Jr. 

At  the  celebration  by  the  Young  Men's  Association, 
the  oration  was  delivered  by  Robert  H.  Pruyn  ;  the  De- 
claration was  read  by  B.  R.  Spelman  ;  poem  by  Thomas 
H.  Cushman. 

July  6.     James  Hooghkirk  died,  aged  37. 

July  14.  Annah  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  S.  Goold, 
died,  aged  23. 

July  15.  Robert  Packard,  late  of  the  firm  of  Packard 
and  Van  Benthuysen,  died,  aged  66. 

July  19.  Linas  McCabe  died  at  Ballston. 

July  20.  A  petition  was   presented   to   the   common 


306  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1840. 

council,  signed  by  Dr.  Charles  D.  Townsend  and  180 
others,  owners  and  occupants  of  property  in  North 
Market  street,  praying  that  the  name  of  said  street 
might  be  changed  to  Broadway. 

A  remonstrance  of  Teunis  Van  Vechten  and  60  others 
was  presented  against  the  proposed  change. 

The  name  of  Capitol  street  was  changed  to  Park 
street. 

July  23.  Elijah  Brainerd  died,  aged  56. 

July  25.  Joseph  L'Amoreux  died,  aged  56. 

July  26.  Daniel  Manning  died,  aged  38. 

July  27.  Rev.  Robert  McKee  died,  aged  42. 
Peter  Germond  died,  aged  60. 

July  28.  Isaac  Van  Wie  died,  aged  65. 

July  30.  Dr.  P.  C.  Dorr  died,  aged  42. 

July  31.  William  Smith  died,  aged  60. 

Aug.  2.     Margarette  Ryckman  died,  aged  72. 

Aug  3.  Catharine,  wife  of  John  S.  Putnam,  died  at 
Buffalo,  aged  20. 

The  common  council  resolved  to  change  the  name  of 
North  Market  street  to  Broadway,  by  the  following 
vote  :  Ayes — Messrs.  Boardman,  Groesbeck,  King.  Me- 
Elroy,  Mclntyre,  Merrifield,  Nelson,  Robinson,  Ten  Ejck, 
9.  Noes — Messrs.  Hewson,  McClure,  Van  Vechten,  3. 

Aug.  5.     Alexander  Cumming  died,  aged  76. 
Rebecca  Hendrickson  died,  aged  46. 

Aug.  10.  Caleb  Johnson  died,  aged  49. 

Aug.  18.  Nelson  Sweet  died,  aged  43. 

Mrs.  Matilda  Cunningham  died,  aged  43. 

Aug.  20.  Richard  Marvin  died,  aged  53.  He  was  a 
native  of  Lyme,  Conn.,  and  had  been  successfully  en- 
gaged in  business  here  upwards  of  thirty  years.  He  was 
for  a  long  time  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  columns  of 
the  Daily  Advertiser,  and  was  peculiarly  felicitous  and 
pungent  in  his  style.  The  very  happy  and  beautiful 
sketch  of  the  reception  of  Lafayette  in  1824  was  from  his 
pen. 

Aug.  22.  The  draw  of  the  bridge  across  the  basin  at 
the  foot  of  State  street  fell,  while  a  large  crowd  was 


1840.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  307 

standing  upon  it,  attracted  by  the  attempt  of  an  insane 
man  to  escape,  and  21  persons  were  drowned. 
Aug.  25.  Mary  Pettinger  died,  aged  59. 

Barent  G.  Staats  died,  aged  78. 

Aug.  26.  George  Kirk  died,  aged  81  ;  father  of  the 
Rev.  E.  N.Kirk. 

Wm.  Mclntosh  died,  aged,  28. 

Aug.  30.  Elizabeth  Anne,  wife  of  Marcus  T.  Reynolds, 
died. 

Sept.  6.  Nelson  W.  Scoville  died  at  Gaines,  Orleans 
county. 

Sept.  9.  The  Eureka,  steam  boat,  Capt.  Sherman, 
made  her  first  appearance  at  the  dock.  The  engines 
and  boilers  of  the  late  Novelty  were  transferred  to  this 
boat. 

Sept.  10.  Jesse  H.  Montgomery  died,  aged  30. 

Sept.  16.  Wilhelmus  Ryckman  died,  aged  81. 

Sept.  19.  A  daily  campaign  paper,  called  the  The 
Unionist,  was  commenced,  edited  by  C.  Loveridge  and 
others. 

Sept.  21.  Lansing  Visscher  died,  aged  42. 

Sept.  24.  John  D.  Smith  died,  aged  46. 

The  steam  boat  Albany  made  her  trip  in  8h.  27  Jm. 

Sept.  28.  Mrs.  Catharine  Bonner  died,  aged  69. 

Oct.  3.  Elisha  Kane  died  at  Washington,  where  he 
was  navy  agent,  aged  63.  He  was  long  time  a  merchant 
of  distinction  in  New  York. 

Oct.  6.     Charles  B.  Fry  died,  aged  26. 

Oct.  7.  John  Abbott  died  at  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  aged 
71.  He  was  a  native  of  Albany,  and  at  one  time  en- 
gaged in  commerce  at  St.  Domingo,  whence  he  escaped 
with  the  loss  of  his  property  during  the  massacre  at  that 
place. 

Francis  Walsh  died,  aged  29. 

Oct.  13.  Elizabeth  Wendell  died  in  Hudson. 

Oct.  22.  Jonathan  Hoard,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
died,  aged  87. 

Oct.  23.  Mary  Cassidy  died,  aged  52. 

Oct.  29.  Charles  Cotton  died,  aged  32. 


308  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1840. 

Oct.  30.  John  Cutler  died,  aged  55. 
Nov.  8.     Nancy,  widow  of  John  Gray,  died,  aged  49. 
Nov.  12.  Calvert  Chad  wick  died,  aged  45. 
Nov.  13.  Charlotte,  widow  of  Benj.  D.  Packard,  died, 
aged  52. 

Nov.  15.  John  S.  Godley  died,  aged  26. 

Maria   L.,  daughter  of  the  late   Dr.   Elias 

Willard  died. 
Edward  H.  Cooke,  formerly  of  Albany,  died 

at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 
Lois  Maria,   wife  of  Henry  Holmes,   died, 

aged  33. 

Nov.  18.  At  a  meeting  of  the  St.  Nicholas  Benevolent 
Society,  held  at  the  Mansion  House,  the  following  were 
elected  officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 
Harmanus  Bleecker,  president. 

Tennis  Van  Vechten,  John  S.  Van  Rensselaer  and  J. 
V.  L.  Pruyn,  vice-presidents. 
Robert  H.  Pruyn,  secretary. 
Charles  B.  Lansing,  treasurer. 
Isaac  N.  Wyckoff  and  Samuel  Kissam,  chaplains. 
John  S.  Van  Alstyne  and  John  H.  Trotter,  physicians. 
Wm.  H.  Fonday,  B.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  C.  Ten  Broeck, 
J.  C.  Van  Schoonhoven,  P.  W.  Groot,  S.  Van  Vechten. 
P.  E.  Elmendorf,  Francis  Pruyn,  A.  Van  Vechten,  P. 
G.  Dox,  managers. 

John  V.  D.  H.  Van  Wie  died,  aged  24. 
Cornelia,    wife   of   Lawrence    L.   Schuyler, 

died,  aged  33. 

Nov.  19.  Minerva,  wife  of  George  Wait,  died,  aged  25. 
Nov.  20.  Lucy,  widow  of  Ephraim  Snow,  died,  aged  60. 

Alvin  F.  Baldwin  died,  aged  45. 

Nov.  24.  Jane  Elizabeth,  wife  of  H.  H.  Little,  died, 
aged  24. 

Nov.  26.  David  A.  Kerker  died,  aged  28. 
Nov.  27.  Mary,  wife  of  David  Hosford,  died,  aged  54. 
Nov.  27.  William  S.  Boyd  died,  aged  32. 
It  appeared  by  the  report  of  the  harbor  master,  that 
the  trade  and  commerce  of  the  city  was  as  follows: 


1840.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  309 

Steam  boats, 27 

Tow  boats 51 

Schooners, 166 

Sloops, 202 

Scows, I 

Brigs, 1 

Total  tonnage, 39,016 

Nov.  29.  Thaddeus  Kingsley  died,  aged  82  ;  a  soldier 
of  the  revolution. 

Nov.  30.  Mrs.  Catharine  Coyne  died,  aged  28. 
Dec.  1.     Mrs.  Eleanor  Lloyd  died,  aged  74. 
Dec.  4.     Margaret,  wife  of  James  Young,  died,  aged  71. 
The  population  of  the  city  was  reported  by  the  can- 
vassers to  have  been  33,627,  being  an  increase  of  about 
36  per  cent  in  the  lapse  of  ten  years  ;  the  population  of 
1830  was  24,209. 

White          White       Colored     Colored 

males.         females.      males,     females.        Total. 

First  Ward, 4,531  4,810  197  245  9,783 

Second    "     3,i92  3,483  56  69  6,800 

Third      *'     1,902  2135  38  65  4.140 

Fourth    "     3,418  3,666  61  80  7,225 

Fifth      "      2,686  2,927  26  40  5,679 

15,729  17,021  378  499  33,627 

The  population  in  1835  was  28,109. 

Dec.  16.  Jane  Ann  Morrison  died,  aged  22. 

Dec.  21.  Mary,  wife  of  Alex.  H.  Beatty,  died,  aged  46. 

The  common  council  were  making  examinations  with 
a  view  to  introducing  water  from  the  Patroon's  creek. 
James  McClure  from  the  select  committee  on  the  subject 
reported  that  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  would  lease  water 
from  the  creek  for  $800  per  annum.  A  survey  was  ad- 
vised, and  an  application  to  the  legislature  for  a  charter. 

Dec.  24.  Benjamin  Covell,  a  revolutioner,  died,  aged 
88;  formerly  of  Troy. 

Dec.  27.  Sarah  Jane,  wife  of  Tho.  Dobbs,  died, aged  39. 

Dec.  28.  Jacob  Leddings,  convicted  of  the  murder  of 
his  wife  in  Bethlehem,  was  executed  in  the  jail. 

Dec.  30.  Cornelia,   widow  of  N.  Kittle,  died,aged  78 

[Annals,  x.]  27 


310  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1840. 

Dec.  31.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Young 
Men's  Association  rooms  to  take  into  consideration  the 
propriety  and  importance  of  purchasing  a  plat  of  ground 
for  a  new  public  cemetery.  Archibald  Mclntyre  was 
called  to  the  chair,  and  Ira  Harris  appointed  secretary. 
Resolutions  were  reported  by  a  committee  consisting  of 
Teunis  Van  Vechten,  Amos  Dean,  Marcus  T.  Reynolds, 
Thomas  W.  Olcott,  Gerrit  Y.  Lansing  and  Lewis  Ben- 
edict. A  committee  was  chosen  to  select  a  site  and  sug- 
gest a  plan  of  organization,  which  consisted  of  B.  T. 
Welch,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  John  A.  Dix,  John  Q. 
Wilson,  James  Homer,  Anthony  M.  Strong,  Peter  Ganse- 
voort,  Thomas  W.  Olcott,  Ezra  P.  Prentice,  John  Y. 
Wendell,  Ellis  Baker,  Ira  Harris,  Otis  Allen. 

Dec.  31.  James  W.  Daniels  died  at  Woodstock,  New 
Brunswick,  aged  27. 

1841. 

Jan.  5.  The  publishers  of  the  New  York  American 
ran  an  express  from  this  city  to  New  York  in  12h.  40m. 
This  was  thought  to  have  been  the  quickest  trip  ever 
made  by  land. 

Jan.  8.  The  warm  rain  which  had  fallen  in  torrents 
during  two  days,  cleared  the  ice  from  the  river,  and 
flooded  the  streets  near  the  docks. 

Jan.  9.  The  freshet  was  within  a  few  inches  as  high 
as  the  extraordinary  one  of  1839,  and  every  thing  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  city  was  afloat. 

Jan.  10.  Josiah  Burton  died  in  New  York,  aged  34. 

James  McKown  resigned  the  office  of  recorder,  which 
he  had  held  fifteen  years  with  distinguished  ability. 
During  the  term  of  his  office  he  had  often  presided  in  the 
mayor's  court,  without  ever  losing  a  day.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  William  Parmelee. 

Jan.  13.  Mrs.  Ann  Thomas  died,  aged  85. 

Jan.  19.  William  Bement  died,  aged  75. 

Jan.  20.  Jacob  T.  B.  Van  Vechten  died,  aged  40  ; 
some  time  judge-advocate-general  of  the  state. 

Jan.  23.  Charles  E.  Dudley  died,  aged  60.     His  father 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  311 

was  the  king's  collector  of  the  customs  in  Rhode  Island, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  and  educated 
his  son  at  Newport  ;  who  came  to  Albany  in  1819,  ar.d 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  during  which  he  made 
one  or  more  voyages  to  India.  He  had  filled  the  offices 
of  mayor  of  the  city,  and  state  and  United  States  senator; 
and  his  name  was  associated  with  most  of  the  improve- 
ments of  the  day. 

Jan.  30.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Young 
Men's  Association  rooms  to  take  into  consideration  the 
propriety  of  an  application  to  the  legislature  for  a  charter 
to  build  a  bridge  across  the  Hudson  river  at  this  city. 
The  mayor  presided,  and  the  meeting  was  addressed  by 
Samuel  Stevens  and  John  V.  L.  Pruyn.  The  frequent 
breaking  up  of  the  ice  during  this  winter,  which  rendered 
the  river  impassable  for  many  days,  and  the  near  comple- 
tion of  the  rail  road  to  communicate  with  Boston  were 
thought  to  be  strong  and  sufficient  reasons  for  providing 
without  delay  the  means  of  crossing  the  river  at  all  times. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  make  the  proposed  appli- 
cation to  the  legislature,  and  to  take  all  other  necessary 
steps  to  expedite  the  business  in  hand. 

Jan.  31.  Hannah,  wife  of  Edwin  Thomas,  died,  aged  39. 

Feb.  4.     Thomas  Waugh  died,  aged  37. 

Feb.  5.  Mary  Sanford,  wife  of  Peter  Gansevoort,  died, 
aged  27. 

Hugh  H.  Van  Steenbergh  died,  aged  21. 

Feb.  6.     Cornelia  Maria,  wife  of  Moses  Cooke,  died. 

Feb.  10.  Matthew  Gill  died,  aged  68. 

Feb.  12.  Anne,  wife  of  C.  F.  Pruyn,  died  at  Bath, 
Rens.  Co.,  aged  47. 

Feb.  15.  Mrs.  Janet  Winton  died,  aged  68. 

Lydia  Sybil,  daughter  of  Oliver  Kane,  died 
in  New  York. 

Feb.  18.  Ann,  widow  of  George  Knower,  died,  aged  60. 

Feb.  19.  Mr.  Nichols,  manager  of  the  Amphitheatre 
appropriated  the  profits  of  the  performances  to  the  Ap- 
prentices' library,  which  yielded  $173.  The  tragedy  of 
George  Barnwell  was  enacted  on  the  occasion. 


312  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.     »  1841. 

Feb.  20.  James  G.  Brooks,  formerly  editor  of  the  Al- 
bany Daily  Advertiser,  died. 

Feb.  23.  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  common  council, 
Mr.  McElroy  from  the  committee  to  whom  the  subject 
was  referred,  reported  favorably  on  dividing  the  city  into 
ten  wards,  and  the  holding  of  the  annual  charter  election 
on  the  second  Tuesday  in  April,  the  day  on  which  the 
town  elections  are  held,  and  the  charter  election  in  New 
York  also.  It  was  thought  that  this  change  would 
prevent  the  presence  of  traveling  voters.  Application 
was  directed  to  be  made  to  the  legislature  for  the  pro- 
posed changes  in  the  charter. 

Feb.  26.  James  Aikman,  late  of  Albany,  died  at 
'Charleston,  S.  C. 

March  1.  E.  P.  Prentice  and  others,  owners  of  pro- 
perty in  Fox  street,  petitioned  the  common  council  to 
change  the  name  of  that  street  to  Canal  street. 

March  3.  The  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department 
reported  that  for  a  period  of  more  than  six  months  there 
had  been  but  three  fires,  and  the  total  loss  occasioned  by 
them,  did  not  exceed  $250. 

March  4.  A  jubilee  was  held  by  the  friends  of  William 
Henry  Harrison,  who  assumed  the  duties  of  president  on 
this  day.  The  ceremonies  began  with  the  firing  of  cannon 
at  sunrise;  fire  works  were  displayed  in  the  evening  at 
the  Capitol,  and  an  inauguration  ball  closed  the  pro- 
gramme. 

David  Godden  died,  aged  58. 

March  6.     N.  L.  Arms  died,  aged  47. 

March  7.     Hetty,  wife  of  John  Van  Zandt,  died. 

March  10.  Dinah,  wife  of  Peter  Keyser,  died,  aged  36. 

March  13.  Catherine  Augusta,  daughter  of  John  Trot- 
ter, died,  aged  25. 

March  14.  Augustus  C.  Dutcher,  died  at  Mobile,  aged 
27. 

March  21.  Jotham  Hancock  died  at  Suffield,  Conn., 
aged  48. 

March  21.  Joseph  Ives  died,  aged  55;  formerly  a  highly 
respectable  merchant,  but  for  many  years  the  victim  of 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  313 

an  incurable  lunacy,  which  led  him  to  enact  the  most 
singular  and  grotesque  freaks. 

March  23.  The  ice  broke  up  opposite  the  city,  but  re- 
mained firm  below. 

March  26.  The  steam  boat  Utica,  Capt.  Shultz,  ar- 
rived, the  first  boat  of  the  season.  The  river  had  been 
frozen  up  nearly  four  months. 

The  assembly  committee  on  the  bridge  over  the  Hudson 
at  Albany,  reported  adversely. 

Henry  A.  Bancraft  died  at  Sandy  Hill,  aged  42. 

Gen.  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was  reinstated  in  the 
post  office,  from  which  he  had  been  removed  but  a  short 
time  before. 

March  27.  Henry  G.  Wheaton  was  appointed  district 
attorney  of  the  county  of  Albany. 

March  29.  Elizabeth  Van  Rensselaer,  widow  of  John 
Bleecker,  died,  aged  73. 

March  30.  Susan,  wife  of  William  Cooper,  died. 

April  2.  Timothy  Powers,  a  revolutionary  soldier, 
died,  aged  90. 

April  3.     William  Akin  died  at  Greenbush,  aged  73. 

April  4,     Edmund  Van  Loon  died,  aged  24. 

April  5.    William  Easton  died,  aged  77. 

April  6.  Intelligence  of  the  death  of  president  Har- 
rison was  received. 

April  10.  Funeral  honors  were  paid  to  the  late  presi- 
dent Harrison.  The  exercises  were  held  in  the  Second 
Presbyterian  church,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  following 
day,  the  fire  department  had  a  torch  light  procession  ;  it 
was  delayed  by  the  inclement  weather. 

April  11.  Lydia,  widow  of  Matthew  Visscher,  died, 
aged  88. 

April  13.  The  charter  election  resulted  as  follows: 

WHIG.  DEMOCRAT. 

First  Ward. 

.Mayor,          Teunis  Van  Vechten,     89     G.  Y.  Lansing, 205 

dldcrmen,     Joseph  Fry, 95     John   Simpson, 203 

Wm.  Bissell, SI     Francis  Bryan 206 

Supervisor,  Peter  Van  Buren, 73     Andrew  Moore, 229 


314  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1841. 

Second  Ward. 

Mayor,          Teunis  Van  Vechten,  207     G.  Y.  Lansing, 266 

Aldermen,     Thomas  Guest, 222     Thos.  Blank, 255 

Daniel  Ffy, 209     W.  P.  Malburn, 265 

Supervisor,  Peter  Van  Buren, 216     Andrew  Moore, 259 

Third  Ward. 

Mayor,          Teunis  Van  Vechten,  364     G.  Y.  Lansing, 230 

Aldermen,     G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, . .   382     B.  W.  Hand, 333 

Wm.  Stead, 371,    John  J.  Hill, 306 

Supervisor,  C.  W.  Bender, 372     Lemuel  Steele, 326 

Fourth   Ward. 

Mayor,          T.  Van  Vechten, 419     G.Y.Lansing, 284 

Aldermen,     John  D.  Hewson, . .  .  441     Samuel  Cheever,    266 

Chas.  S.  Olmsted, ...  420     Benj.  Thomas, 270 

Supervisor,  Horace  Meech, 441     Philip  Phelps, 268 

Fifth  Ward. 

Mayor,         T.  Van  Vechten, 273     G.  Y.  Lansing, 261 

.4ldermen,     J.  Q.  Wilson, 274     John  K.  Paige, 26 1 

R.C.Russell, 269     Ed.  Brinckerhoof, 254 

Supervisor,  Geo.  Dexter, 283     E.  R.  Satterlee, 255 

Sixth  Ward. 

Mayor,          T.  Van  Vechten, 275     G.Y.Lansing, 185 

.Aldermen,     Thos.  McElroy, 244     D.  V.  N.  Radcliff,. . . .  168 

Thaddeus  Joy, 275     C.  Ten  Broeck, 220 

Supervisor,  Samuel   Prnyn, 277     A.  Colburn, 181 

Seventh  Ward. 

Mayor,          T.  Van  Vechten, 178     G.  Y.  Lansing, 252 

Aldermen,     Jas.  F.  Whitney 177     Chas.  Chapman, 254 

John  W.  Cluett,.'...  182     John  Kenyon 244 

Supervisor,  J.  M.  Newton, 161     D.  D .  Shaw, 264 

Eighth  Ward. 

Mayor,         T.  Van  Vechten, 132     G.Y.Lansing, 267 

Aldermen,     Wm.  Davis, 135     John  McKnight, 272 

John  Pemberton, 133     Wm.  B.   Stanton, 258 

Supervisor,  Wm.  B.  Scott, 148     Jas.  A.  Putnam, 247 

Ninth  Ward. 

Mayor,          T.  Van  Vechten,  „„.•.  325     G.  Y.  Lansing, 229 

Aldermen,     Geo.  Merrifield, 341     Eli  Perry, 248 

Thos.  Kirkpatrick,..  335     J.  Smith  Jr., 175 

Supervisor,  J.  D.  Livingston,   ..  350     D.  H.  Cary, 215 

Tenth  Ward. 

Mayor,          T.  Van  Vechten, 187     G.Y.Lansing, 160 

Aldermen,     Michael  Artcher, 191     R.  W.  Peckham, 170 

Joshua  I.  Jones,....  179     Jacob  Henry, 158 

Supervisor,  J.  D.  Livingston,...  187     D.  H.  Cary, 164 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  315 

April  16.  The  steam  boat  South  America  arrived,  to 
take  the  place  of  the  Rochester  in  the  People's  line. 

April  18.  Hosea  Hewlet  died,  aged  53. 

April  21.  Daniel  Peck  died,  aged  55. 

April  26.  The  name  of  Bass  street  was  changed  to 
Bleecker  street,  in  honor  of  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker. 

Isaac  A.  Quakenbush  died  at  Schenectady,  aged  74. 
He  had  recently  resided  at  Erie,  Pa.,  and  was  a  lawyer. 

April  27.  Mrs.  Catharine  Phelps  died,  aged  78. 

An  act  passed  the  legislature  incorporating 
the  Albany  Gas  Light  Company. 

April  28.  Mrs.  Maria  Dennitton  died,  aged  89. 

April  29.  Ariantje  Wendell  died  at  Greenwich,  aged  92. 

April  30.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Samuel  Norton,  died, 
aged  77. 

May  1.     Simon  Glen  died,  aged  68. 

The  low  buildings,  south-west  corner  of  State  and 
Broadway,  were  taken  down,  and  a  four  story  block 
erected,  known  as  Douw's  Building. 

May  2.  A  great  snow  storm  set  in  about  noon.  The 
river  was  already  so  much  swollen  by  rains,  as  to  over- 
flow the  docks. 

May  3.  The  trustees  of  the  newly  organized  synagogue 
of  Beth  Jacob  applied  to  the  common  council  for  a  burial 
ground. 

May  6.     Rhoda,  wife  of  Charles  Barker,  died. 

May  7.  Gertrude,  wife  of  Cornelius  Duane  and 
daughter  of  the  late  Wm.  Robison  of  this  city,  died  in 
Schenectady,  aged  28. 

May  8.  It  was  announced  as  a  march  of  improvement 
that  some  one  had  started  a  cab  in  the  city.  That  kind 
of  vehicle  entirely  disappeared  in  1857. 

May  10.  James  Carmichael  died,  aged  68. 
James  Requa  died,  aged  52. 

May  11.  Waldo  Corbit  died,  aged  44. 

May  12.  George  W.  Weed  was  reelected  clerk  of  the 
common  council. 

May  13.  Lydia,  widow  of  Salem  Butcher,  died,  aged 
63. 


316  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1841. 

The  steamboat  Troy  made  the  down  ward  trip  from 
Albany  to  New  York  in  8h.  10|m,,  which  was  claimed  as 
the  quickest  trip  that  had  ever  been  made. 
May  20.  Levi  S.  Chapman  died  at  sea. 
May  21.  The  common  council  resolved  to  remove  the 
South  Market  and  lease  the  ground  for  a  steam  boat 
landing,  $1,500  per  annum  being  offered  for  it  on  a  lease 
of  five  years. 

May  22.  Thomas  B.  Hewson  died,  aged  37. 

Parmelia,   wife  of  Wynant    Crannell,  died, 

aged  39. 

May  23.  George  Loomis  died,  aged  79. 
May  25.  The  Jewish  Congregation  of  Beth  Jacob  de- 
dicated their  synagogue  No.  8  Rose  street,  believed  to  be 
the  first  in  the  city. 

Charles  L.  Astin  died,  aged  26  ;  formerly  at- 
tached to  the  Amphitheatre. 
The  books  for  subscriptions  to  the  Albany 
Gas  Light  Company  were  opened. 

26.  The  legislature  adjourned  after  a  session  of  140 
days,  and  the  passage  of  352  laws. 

May  31.  William  Hughes  died  ;  he  had  long  occupied 
the  Mineral  Spring  Garden. 

The  chamberlain  reported  the  city  debt  to  be  $395, 
532.43.  The  actual  cash  receipts  were  $241,662*46  ; 
the  expenditures  $237,739*13. 

June  1.     Richard  Rosekrans  died,  aged  20. 
June  3.     Eunice   Eliza,    wife   of  Solomon   Drullard, 
died,  aged  30. 

June  5.     Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Dey  Ermand,  died,  aged  54. 
June  7.     Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  C.  Locherty,  died, 
aged  41. 

Wm.  Brandon  died,  aged  27. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Goodwin,  died,  aged  69. 
June  9.     Sarah,  wife  of  Jacob  N.  Clute,  died,  aged  85. 
June  14.  The  common  council  after  several  unsuccess- 
ful attempts  during  more  than  a  month,  succeeded  in 
electing  officers. 

Hazael  Kane,  police  justice. 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  317 

June  14.  Robert  H.  Prtiyn,  city  attorney. 

W.  R.  Coulson  and  Calvin  Pierson,  high  con- 
stables. 

June  16.  Aaron  Thorpe  died,  aged  52. 

June  18.  Reuben  Fuller  died,  aged  72. 

June  20.  James  King,  an  eminent  lawyer,  died,  aged 
52.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  regents  of 
the  university,  and  since  the  death  of  Simeon  De  Witt, 
chancellor. 

June  21.  Samuel  S.  Lush,  an  eminent  lawyer,  and 
some  time  a  member  of  assembly,  died,  aged  58. 

June  22.  A  fire  on  the  dock  destroyed  five  small 
buildings  of  little  value,  but  a  laboring  man  lost  his 
chest  containing  $240.  It  was  the  largest  fire  that  had 
occurred  for  nearly  a  year. 

June  28.  A  law  was  passed  by  the  common  council 
for  filling  a  part  of  the  Hudson  street  pond. 

Suly  2.     Alexander  Davidson,  died,  aged  80. 

July  4.  There  were  three  distinct  celebrations  of  the 
day. 

The  civic  and  military  procession  marched  to  the 
North  Methodist  church,  where  the  oration  was  pro- 
nounced by  John  A.  Dix,  and  the  Declaration  read  by 
Thomas  McMullen. 

The  Young  Men's  Association  marched  to  the  Second 
Presbyterian  church,  where  the  oration  was  delivered  by 
Arthur  C.  Southwick,  and  the  Declaration  read  by  E. 
N.  Horsford,  and  a  poem  by  F.  W.  Cole. 

The  Temperance  societies  made  a  procession  through 
the  principal  streets  to  the  Second  Reformed  Dutch 
church,  where  an  oration  was  delivered  by  Benj.  Nott, 
and  the  Declaration  was  read  by  Matthew  Trotter. 

July  9.     Catharine,  wife  of  Charles  Coates,  died. 

July  11.  Mrs.  Angeline  Brinkerhoff  died,  aged  63. 

July  12.  Charles  R.  Wands  died  in  New  York,  aged  47. 

July  13.  Andrew  Berger  died,  aged  72. 

July  14.  Thomas  Morgan,  died,  aged  84. 

A  Bethel  church  was  opened  on  the  pier,  near  the 


318  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1841. 

Hamilton  street  bridge,  for  the  accommodation  of  such 
as  were  employed  upon  the  river  and  canal. 

July  20.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Capitol 
for  the  purpose  of  interchanging  opinions  in  regard  to  a 
general  bankrupt  law.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order 
by  John  Q.  Wilson,  gu  whose  motion  Thaddeus  Joy  was 
appointed  chairman.  Officers  were  appointed,  Teunis 
Van  Vechten,  president;  and  resolutions  were  offered  by 
John  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  expressive  of  the  expediency  of 
the  measure,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  proceed  to 
Washington  with  them. 

July  22.  A  meeting  of  mechanics  was  held  at  the 
City  Hall,  who  were  opposed  to  the  system  of  state 
prison  labor  then  in  vogue,  by  which  advantageous  con- 
tracts were  made  by  manufacturers  for  prison  labor, 
which  were  disadvantageous  to  the  state,  and  injurious 
to  the  industrial  classes  by  reason  of  the  competition  it 
engendered.  George  Vance,  sen.,  presided,  and  the 
meeting  was  addressed  by  H.  H.  Van  Dyck.  Although 
a  considerable  effort  was  made  by  the  mechanics  of  the 
state  to  abate  some  of  the  evils  complained  of,  nothing 
of  importance  was  effected. 

July  23.  Ann  Eliza,  wife  of  James  Christie,  died, 
aged  27. 

July  26.  The  common  council  removed  Hazael  Kane 
from  the  office  of  police  justice. 

July  27.  The  Board  of  Trade  was  organized,  George 
W.  Stanton,  chairman;  Daniel  Fry,  secretary;  a  constitu- 
tion was  adopted. 

July  29.  James  Born  died,  aged  28. 

Aug.  1.     Maria  Gansevoort  died,  aged  90. 

Aug.  9.     Cicero  Loveridge  was  elected  police  justice. 
Charlotte,  wife  of  Edward  M.  Larcher,  died, 
aged  41. 

Aug.  10.  Lydias,  widow  of  Stephen  Lush,  died,  aged  82. 

Aug.  13.  John  Fisher  died,  aged  81  ;  a  native  of  Scot- 
land. 

Cathline,  widow  of  Henry  Van  Benthuysen, 
died,  aged  79. 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  319 

Aug.  15.  Martha,  wife  of  Robert  Bromley,  died,  aged 
65. 

Aug.  16.  A  fire  destroyed  all  the  out  houses  belonging 
to  the  Almshouse  ;  loss  $4,000. 

Aug.  22.  John  Ezra  Reese  died,  aged  28. 

Aug.  24.  Albert  Ryckman  died,  aged  77. 

Mrs.  Susanna  Van  Heusenburgh  died ,  aged  85. 
Ambrose  S.  Townsend  died,  aged  28. 

Sept.  2.  A  meeting  of  citizens  favorable  to  the  pro- 
tection of  American  industry  by  the  government,  was 
held  at  the  Capitol  ;  Thomas  W.  Olcott  president.  Re- 
solutions presented  by  Mtessrs.  Reynolds,  Stevens  and  J. 
V.  L.  Pruyn  were  adopted,  and  Joseph  Blunt  of  New 
York  addressed  the  meeting. 

A  State  convention  of  mechanics  was  held  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  an  opposition  to  the  state  prison 
system. 

Mary  Jane,  wife  of  John  Burley,  died,  aged  31. 

Sept.  3.     Huldah,  wife  of  Richard  Wilson,  died. 

Sept.  5.     James  Purcell  died  in  New  Orleans,  aged  21. 

Sept.  6.     Gerrit  Visscher  died,  aged  49. 

Sept.  9.  The  sheriff  Adams,  having  been  obstructed 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Hel- 
derberg,  went  out  with  a  military  posse,  to  make  a  sale 
of  property  for  back  rents.  Very  little  was  accomplished, 
most  of  the  property  having  been  removed,  and  there 
were  no  bidders  for  what  remained. 

Frederick  Van  Wormer  died,  aged  56. 

The  Board  of  Trade  was  fully  organized  by  the  elec- 
tion of  John  Townsend,  president  ;  Erastus  Corning, 
Charles  Chapman  and  John  Taylor,  vice-presidents; 
Daniel  Fry,  secretary  ;  and  William  McElroy  treasurer. 

Sept.  15.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas  J.  Wood,  died, 
aged  27. 

Sept.  16.  Dr.  John  W.  Van  Loon  died,  aged  33. 

A  meeting  of  citizens  called  by  the  Board  of  Trade 
condemned  thechange  of  the  terminus  of  the  Mohawk  and 
Hudson  rail  road,  abandoning  the  head  of  State  street, 
and  adopting  the  foot  of  Ferry  street.  On  the  following 


320  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1841. 

day  another  meeting  was  held  consisting  of  another  class 
of  citizens,  which  deprecated  the  proceedings  of  the 
Board  of  Trade,  and  sanctioned  the  change  made  by  the 
rail  road  company. 

Sept.  19.  Joshua  Weldon,  a  soldier  of  the  revolution, 
died,  aged  84. 

Sept.  20.  Mary  B.  Douglass  died,  aged  22. 

The  ancient  building  adjoining  the  American  Hotel  on 
the  east,  having  been  underminded  in  excavating  the  ad- 
joining lot,  fell  to  the  ground.  This  was  formerly  the 
house  of  Thomas  Shipboy  who  died  in  1798.  (See  An- 
nals, vol.  i.  pp.  284-286.) 

Sept.  22.   Isaac  H.  Bogart  died,  aged  77. 

The  Mohawk  and  Hudson  rail  road  company  having 
commenced  breaking  up  their  track  from  the  late  depot 
in  State  street  to  the  Junction,  certain  citizens  organized 
a  line  of  stages  to  compete  with  the  road,  which  was  so 
successful  that  on  the  22d,  they  had  taken  a  hundred 
passengers  over  the  old  turnpike  road  before  10  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  The  following  statement  shows  how 
lively  a  business  sprang  up. suddenly  on  the  Schenectady 
turnpike,  which  was  unknown  to  it  in  the  palmiest 
days  of  staging  on  that  ancient  thoroughfare. 

Oct.  20 196  passengers 

21, 200         do. 

22, 289         do. 

On  the  23d,  27  stages  went  over,  and  passengers  for 
five  or  six  more  offered.  During  the  first  seven  days 
1,698  passengers  were  carried  over  by  the  -stages.  Fare 
50  cents. 

Sept.  25.  Elizabeth  Bayard  Campbell  died  at  the 
Manor  house  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer. 

Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne  died,  aged  23. 
Edgar  B.  Ten  Broeck  died  in  New  Orleans, 

aged  20. 

Sept.  26.    The  Rev.  Mr.  Hodge,  pastor  of  the  Green 
street  Baptist  church,  preached  his  farewell  sermon. 
Rufus  Brown  died,  aged  59. 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  321 

Sept.  28.  The  South  Dutch  church,  corner  of  Green 
and  Ferry  streets  was  burnt.  The  fire  took  in  the 
cupola,  and  destroyed  every  thing  but  the  walls.  It  was 
erected  in  1837  at  a  cost  of  $13,000,  and  was  insured  for 
$5,000. 

Catharine,  wife  of  Henry  Yates,  died. 

Sept.  30.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Ex- 
change building  to  confer  on  a  mode  of  affording  relief  to 
the  Third  Dutch  church,  whose  edifice  had  recently  been 
destroyed  by  fire.  A  committee  of  one  from  each  ward 
was  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions,  and  church  col- 
lections were  recommended* 

Thomas  Welch  died  at  Windham,  Conn.,  aged  56. 

Oct.  1.     Audley  P.  Knower  died,  aged  27. 
James  Linacre  died,  aged  57. 

Oct.  9.  A  line  of  12  stages  passed  down  State  street 
from  Schenectady,  having  112  passengers. 

Oct.  10.  Edward  C.  Denison  died,  aged  51. 

Oct.  12.  Catherine  Eliza,  wife  of  Angus  McNaughton 
died,  aged  22. 

Mrs.  Louisa  Hilton  died,  aged  34. 

Oct.  13.  Edward  Henry  Delavan  died,  aged  21. 

Oct.  16.  George  S.  Lansing  died,  aged  21. 

Oct.  21.  James  Brammall  died,  aged  29. 

Oct.  23.  Maria  E.  Benne  died. 

Oct.  26.  Ann  Catharine,  wife  of  John  Hodge,  died, 
aged  33. 

Oct.  29.  Fanny  Danson  died,  aged  36. 

Oct.  30  Margaret,  daughter  of  Israel  Smith,  died, 
aged  27. 

Nov.  2.  The  election  resulted  in  favor  of  the  Demo- 
crats. John  A.  Dix  was  elected  to  the  assembly  by  a 
majority  of  535  over  Azor  Taber.  Erastus  Corning  was 
elected  state  senator  by  571  majority. 

Nov.  3.     Mrs.  Isabella  Holmes  died,  aged  78. 

Charlotta  Augusta,  wife  of  Stephen  B.  Hall, 

died,  aged  23. 
William  L.  Stillman  died,  aged  22. 

[ Annals,  x.]  28 


322  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1841. 

Nov.  8.  Eliza,  wife  of  John  T.  Carpenter,  died, 
aged  26. 

Henry  Carey  died,  aged  28. 

Charlotte  N.,  wife  of  Dr.  D.  Newcomb,  died, 

aged  27. 

Snow  fell  and  the  atmosphere  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  winter. 

Nov.  9.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  corner  of  Washington  and  Swan  streets  was  laid 
with  appropriate  ceremonies  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague, 
of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church.  The  exercises  were 
held  in  the  hall  of  the  Capitol.  The  building  is  72  feet 
by  44.  It  was  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev. 
James  Rawson. 

Nov.  10.  Walter  Clark  died  at  Brooklyn,  aged  63. 

Nov.  11.  Mrs.  Jane  Johnson,  died,  aged  41. 

Nov.  12.  Murdock  McPherson  died,  aged  45. 
William  Porter  died,  aged  24. 

Nov.  14.  Helen  C.,  wife  of  H.  H.  Seaver,  died. 

Nov.  16.  A  special  meeting  of  the  common  council  was 
called  to  deliberate  upon  a  proposition  of  the  directors  of 
the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  rail  road  company.  They  of- 
fered to  the  city  their  State  street  property  and  $150,000 
in  the  bonds  of  the  company  if  the  city  would  undertake 
the  expense  of  doing  away  with  the  inclined  planes  at 
both  ends  of  the  road,  the  bonds  to  be  secured  by  a 
mortgage  upon  the  whole  road  ;  the  eastern  termination 
to  be  brought  as  near  the  centre  of  the  city  as  possible, 
and  to  be  used  with  locomotive  power.  The  proposition 
was  accepted  19  to  1 ;  Mr.  Malburn. 

Nov.  16.  Thos.  Hastings  Cushman  died,  aged  26.  He 
early  manifested  a  genius  for  drawing,  and  finally  took 
up  the  art  of  engraving,  which  he  prosecuted  some  time 
in  this  city  with  success  and  increasing  reputation.  In 
the  fall  of  1840,  with  impaired  health  growing  out  of  the 
anxieties  of  managing  an  extensive  concern,  he  unfor- 
tunately engaged  in  daguerreotyping,  then  an  embryo 
art,  which  he  introduced  into  this  place,  in  connection 
with  Prof.  E.  N.  Horsford.  His  experiments  were  made 


1841.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  323 

under  exposure  to  the  unhealthful  fumes  of  the  necessary 
materials,  and  in  less  than  a  year  he  laid  the  foundation 
for  the  total  ruin  of  his  health,  which  sank  irretrievably 
under  the  anxieties  and  unhealthful  application  which  it 
exacted  ;  for  he  gave  all  his  time  and  thoughts  to  the  ob- 
ject before  him,  and  secluded  himself  as  completely  as 
the  ancient  alchemist  in  search  of  the  philosopher's  stone; 
but  the  reward  fell  from  his  lifeless  hand  untasted,  al- 
though he  made  important  discoveries,  and  improved  the 
instrument.  He  is  the  author  of  several  poetic  pieces, 
harmonious  in  diction,  and  sparkling  with  happy  con- 
ceptions. 

Abraham  P.  Staats  died. 

Nov.  19.  Charles  Fondey  died  at  Boston,  aged  21. 

Nov.  22.  Catalina  Quakenbush  died,  aged  75. 

Nov.  21.  Jacob  N.  Clute,  a  revolutionary  soldier,  died, 
aged  82. 

Nov.  25.  Horace  W.  Buckley  died  in  New  York, 
aged  56. 

Nov.  26.  David  Wood,  president  of  the  Canal  Bank, 
died,  aged  48. 

Timothy  Chapin,  Jr.  died,  aged  51. 

Nov.  27.  Henry  Knower  died,  aged  23. 
Lemuel  Pierce  died,  aged  65. 

Nov.  30.  Maria,  wife  of  Titus  Bastianelli,  died,  aged  28. 

Erastus  Meacham  died  at  Kalamazoo,  Michigan. 

Dec.  4.  The  river  was  open  to  navigation,  after 
having  been  closed. 

Dec.  13.  Mrs.  McClure  died,  aged  63. 

J.  Hall  and  42  others  petitioned  the  common  council 
for  the  removal  of  the  Arbor  Hill  burial  ground.  At 
the  same  meeting  Sanford  Cobb  was  removed  from  the 
office  of  chamberlain  for  appropriating  the  city  funds  to 
his  own  use,  and  John  Q.  Wilson  appointed  temporarily. 

Dec.  14.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pollock  died,  aged  95. 

Dec.  16.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Nicholas  Brower,  died, 
aged  33. 

Dec.  17.  Matilda,  wife  of  George  Patterson,  died, 
aged  26. 


324  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1841. 

Dec.  19.  The  locomotives  of  the  Western  Rail  Road 
Company  came  through  to  Greenbush,  thus  uniting  Albany 
to  Boston  by  a  continuous  rail  road.  The  completion  of 
this  road  opened  a  winter  route  to  New  York  by  the  way 
of  Hartford  and  New  Haven  in  32  hours  without  night 
travel. 

C.  W.  Bender  was  appointed  city  chamberlain,  and 
Isaac  Hempstead  chamberlain's  clerk. 

Dec.  20.  The  river  was  closed  by  ice. 

Dec.  21.  Mrs.  Orpha  Strickland,  died,  aged  53. 

Dec.  22.  The  thermometer  was  2  degrees  below  zero. 

Dec.  23.  Rev.  Duncan  Kennedy  was  installed  pastor  of 
ihe  North  Dutch  church. 

Dec.  24.  Margaretta,  wife  of  Wm.  Parmelee,  died  at 
Xangsingburgh,  aged  23. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Saunders  died,  aged  63. 

Dec.  28.  A  celebration  in  honor  of  the  completion  of 
the  Western  rail  road  took  place.  The  train  brought 
125  delegates  from  Massachusetts,  who  were  escorted 
from  the  ferry  by  the  military.  A  dinner  was  given  at 
.Stanwix  Hall,  by  Mr.  Landon  of  Congress  Hall. 

Dec.  31.  Nathaniel  Cook,  died  in  New  York,  aged  43. 

1842. 

Jan.  1.  Lyman  Root,  an  eminent  merchant,  died, 
,aged  63.  He  had  been  identified  with  the  commercial 
prosperity  of  the  city  during  forty  years,  and  by  well  di- 
rected enterprise  and  integrity  acquired  property  and 
esteem. 

Peter  Roggen  died,  aged  52. 

Jan.  3.     Eliza,  wife  of  Daniel  Duesler,  died,  aged  27. 

Jan.  9.     William  Hendrickson,  died,  aged  37. 

Jan.  10.  Robert  Orr,  died,  aged  80. 

Jan.  13.  Maria  A.,  wife  of  Hiram  Bromley,  died,  aged 
32. 

Jan.  14.  Jerome  Beals  died,  aged  23. 

Jan.  16.  Charlotte,  wife  of  Thomas  Hewson,  died, 
aged  65. 


1842.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  325 

Jan.  17.  Robert  Carson  died,  aged  38. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  Abraham  Cuyler,  died. 

Jan.  18.  Thermometer  50  deg.  above  zero. 

Jan.  19.  Ephraim  De  Witt  died  at  Jersey  City,  aged  63. 

Jan.  19.  Sabra,  wife  of  Nahum  Rice,  died  at  Lebanon 
Springs,  aged  64. 

Jan.  20.  Robert  Wilson  Lawson  died,  aged  73. 

Jan.  22.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Charles  Miller,  died,  aged  30. 

Jan.  23.  Eliza  S.,  wife  of  Washington  Phillips,  died, 
aged  30. 

Jan.  24.  James  Maddix  died,  aged  43. 

The  choir  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  gave  a  con- 
cert, at  which  Braham,  the  famed  English  singer,  parti- 
cipated. 

Jan.  27.  Christopher  Oley  died,  aged  69. 
Wm.  Vandenberg  died,  aged  51. 

Jan.  31.  Stephen  Gladding  died  in  New  Orleans,  aged  37. 

Feb.  1.     Daniel  S.  Kittle  died. 

Gideon  Hawley  was  chosen  by  the  legislature  a  regent 
of  the  university  in  the  place  of  the  late  James  King. 

H.  Wendell,  son  of  the  late  Harmanus  A.  Wendell, 
died  in  Philadelphia,  aged  56. 

Feb.  5.     Peter  Westervelt  died,  aged  60. 

Feb.  6.  A  great  freshet  which  cleared  the  river  of 
ice,  and  the  steam  boat  Telegraph,  Capt.  Brainerd,  ar- 
rived from  New  York. 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Casparus  F.  Pruyn, 
died,  aged  23. 

Feb.  7.     Daniel  McKilvey  died,  aged  76. 

Feb.  10.  A.  Ten  Eyck  Lansing  died  at  Manheim, 
Herkimer  co.,  aged  47. 

Feb.  16.  George  Christie  died,  aged  34. 

Feb.  17.  Mrs.  Cynthia  Winne  died,  aged  75. 

Feb.  18.  Eben  S.  Wadley  died,  aged  30. 
Isaac  Pepper  died,  aged  22. 

Feb.  19.  James  D.  Fisher  died,  aged  42. 
Mrs.  Mary  Freligh  died,  aged  84. 

Feb.  26.  Lucre tia,  wife  of  Wm.  W.  Frothingham,  died, 
aged  44. 


326  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1842. 

March  1.  The  river  was  open  again,  and  a  steam 
boat  arrived  from  New  York. 

Alida  D.,  wife  of  Allen  F.  Peck,  died,  aged  21. 

March  3.  George  McPherson  died  at  Columbiana, 
Ala.,  aged  22. 

March  7.  The  common  council,  by  a  vote  of  10  to  6, 
agreed  to  open  South  Pearl  street  15  feet  on  the  west 
side  from  State  to  Howard  street. 

Maria,  wife  of  Peter  C.  Doyle,  died,  aged  40. 

March  10.  Charles  Dillon  died,  aged  42. 

March  11.  Wm.  P.  Stone  died,  aged  33. 

March  12.  Catalina,  wife  of  Chandler  Foster,  died, 
aged  30. 

March  13.  Mrs.  Maria  Strain  died,  aged  63. 

Helena,  wife  of  Dr.  F.  N.  Selkirk,  died. 

March  14.  Benjamin  Gregory  died,  aged  68. 

March  16.  Sarah  Anna,  wife  of  James  A.  Hewson, 
died,  aged  34. 

March  18.  Rebecca,  wife  of  David  Mink,  died,  aged  57. 

March  21.  Thomas  Dowling  died,  aged  79. 

March  22.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  H.  Peck,  died. 

March  27.  John  Berry  died,  in  New  York,  aged  23. 

Sarah,   wife   of  Richard    Sherwood,   died, 
aged  30. 

March  28.  Mary,  widow  of  Henry  Turner,  died  at 
East  Bloomfield,  Ontario  county. 

March  31.  Simeon  De  Groff  died,  aged  86. 

Highest   temperature  of  March   72   deg.  ; 
lowest  12  deg. 

April  2.  Frances  Ann,  wife  of  Rev.  John  M.  Van 
Buren,  died,  aged  24. 

April  3.  Jane  Ann,  daughter  of  Jesse  Randall,  died, 
aged  24. 

April  4.     Mrs.  Jane  Donnelly  died,  aged  80. 

April  8.     Oliver  Kane  died  in  New  York,  aged  75. 

April  9.     James  Jordan  died,  aged  69. 

April  10.  Ananias  Platt  died,  aged  80. 

April  12.  Emily  Holland  died,  aged  38. 


1842.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  327 

April  12.  Charter  election  resulted  in  the  success  of 

the  Democrats. 

DEMOCRATS.  WHIGS. 

First  Ward. 

Mayor.          Barent  P.  Staats, 104    John  Townsend, 104 

Aldermen.     Wm.  Chambers, 206     Stiles  Mix 132 

Wm.  L.  Osborn, 205     John  A.  Clark, 82 

John  Simpson, 76 

Francis  Bryan, 39 

Supervisor.  Andrew  Moore, 252     H.  G.  0.  Rogers 1 12 

Second  Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, \  . .   322     John  Townsend, 190 

Aldermen.     Wm.  P.  Malburn,. . .  .  318     Charles  Conklin, 221 

David  Burhans, 295     Daniel  Smith, 187 

Supervisor.  Andrew  Moore, 299     H.  G.  O.  Rogers, 206 

Third  Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, 468     John  Townsend, 319 

Aldermen.     Bradford  W.  Hand,...  428     G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, . . .  361 

Argalus  W.  Starks, . .  436     Seth  F.  Kelly, 343 

Supervisor.  Wm.  J.  Fryer, 440     Miles  Joy, 342 

Fourth   Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, ...      ...   352     John  Townsend, 387 

Aldermen.     H.H.Martin, 318     Chauncey  Whitney, ..  416 

Benj.  Thomas, 322     Abram  Koonz, 409 

Supervisor.  Henry  Rector, 318     H.  Meech, 411 

Fifth   Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, 287     John  Townseod, 282 

Aldermen.     Ed.  Brinckerhoff, S83     Yisscher  Ten  Eyck, . .  295 

R.  E.  Temple, 281     Andrew  White, 290 

Supervisor.  E.  R.  Satterlee, 274     E.  W.  Skinner, 300 

Sixth  Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, 217     John  Townsend, 242 

Aldermen.     James  Maher, 231     John  Groesbeck, 241 

C.  Ten  Broeck, 264     Jacob  L.  Winne, 251 

Supervisor.  A.  E.  Brown, 238     Samuel  Pruyn, 252 

Seventh   Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, 291     John  Townsend, 157 

Aldeimen.     Chas.  Chapman, 293     Parker  Sargent, 162 

J.  Van  Volkenburgh, .   278     Horace  Pierce, 160 

Supervisor.  D.  D.  Shaw, 288     David  Martin, 157 

Eighth   Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, 297     John  Townsend, 130 

Aldermen.     John  McKnight, 295     Josiah  Winants, 133 

Jacob  Downing, 292     Giles  K.  Winne, 131 

Supervisor.  W.  B.  Stanton, 283     W.  B.  Scott, 146 


328  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1842. 

DEMOCRATS.  WHIGS. 

Ninth   Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Staats, 266     John  Townsend. 375 

Aldermen.     Jas.  D.  Wasson, 271     Hazael  Kane, 366 

John  I.  Burton 277     Wm.  R.  Ford 358 

Supervisor.  T.  Carson, '. 277     G.  Traver, . . ." 365 

Tenth   Ward. 

Mayor.          B.  P.  Slaats, 234     John  Townsend, 246 

Jlldcrmen.     Garret  Hogan, .     . , . .   230     Michael  Artcher, ....  248 

R.  W.  Peckham, 229     Joshua  I.  Jones, 249 

Supervisor.  T.  Carson, 226     George  Traver, 257 

William  Mayell  received  43  votes  as  the  abolition  can- 
didate for  mayor. 

April  15.  Gertrude,  wife  of  Wm.  H.  Hazard,  died, 
aged  42. 

April  16.  Jane,  widow  of  James  Parker,  died,  aged  31. 

April  19.  Charles  Smith  died,  aged  81;  a  revolutionary 
soldier. 

April  20.  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  L.  Hartness,  died  in 
New  York,  aged  30,  and  was  buried  from  the  residence 
of  her  mother,  Mrs.  Abigail  Easton,  55  Maiden  lane. 

April  20.  Mrs.  Mary  Brayton  died  at  North  Adams, 
aged  76. 

April  23.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Malcolm  died,  aged  64. 

April  24-.  Rosanna,  wife  of  John  McClintock,  died, 
aged  31. 

April  29.  Harriet  Maria,  wife  of  Evert  J.  Lansing, 
died,  aged  23, 

The  number  of  brick  buildings  from  two  to  five  stories, 
erected  during  the  past  year,  was  estimated  at  250, 
mostly  of  a  more  courtly  style  of  construction  than  be- 
fore. The  principal  erections  on  State  street  were 
Douw's  building,  corner  of  State  and  Broadway;  Blunt's 
Building,  corner  of  South  Pearl  and  State,  and  the  five 
story  store  of  Pruyn,  Wilson  &  Vosburgh  ;  in  Broadway 
the  store  of  Henry  Newman. 

May  5.  Sarah  Walsh,  wife  of  Richard  V.  De  Witt, 
died. 

May  8.  Jeannette  B.  James,  wife  of  Wm.  H.  Barker, 
died. 


1842.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  329 

May  9.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  pro- 
posals were%  opened  for  supplying  the  Almshouse  with 
meat,  which*  varied  from  4J  cts.  to  1  ct.  a  pound.  The 
contract  was  given  to  J.  C.  F.  Ladue  at  1}  cents  per 
pound. 

May  10.  At  a  meeting  of  the  new  board  of  common 
council,  Barent  P.  Staats  officiated  as  mayor,  and  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected  by  a  vote  of  12  to  10. 
James  R.  Rose,  clerk. 
John  Osborn,  marshal. 
Andrew  J.  Colvln,  attorney. 
John  Bratt,  surveyor. 
Aaron  Hill,  assistant  surveyor. 
S.  V.  R.  Ableman,  supt.  Almshouse. 

May  16.  The  board  had  before  it  the  case  of  Engine 
Company  No.  9,  which,  in  revenge  of  some  structures  of 
the  former  board,  had  dragged  their  engine  up  before  the 
City  Hall  and  left  it  there.  The  new  board  having  a 
democratic  majority,  they  expected  to  be  exonerated  from 
the  blame  they  had  incurred  in  showing  contempt  of  the 
late  whig  mayor;  but  they  were  ruled  out  by  a  vote  of 
10  to  9.  This  case  exercised  the  board  a  good  while, 
and  resulted  in  the  laying  up  of  No.  9. 

Capt.  Samuel  Schuyler  died,  aged  61. 

May  17.  Jane  A.,  wife  of  Elias  Colburn,  died,  aged  37. 

May  20.  Augustus  Bruce  died,  aged  35  ;  formerly  of 
Wallingford,  Vt. 

May  22.  The  Methodist  church,  corner  of  Swan  and 
Washington  streets  being  completed,  was  dedicated. 

May  23.  Timothy  H.  Gidley  died  in  Italy,  aged  43. 

May  26.  Nancy,  widow  of  Nehemiah  Jenks,  died,  aged 
72 ;  formerly  of  Nantucket. 

May  27.  Dorcas,  wife  of  Capt.  David  Olmsted,  died, 
aged  71. 

May  31.  Le  Roy  D.  L.  Moody  died,  aged  46. 

Capt.  David  Olmsted  died,  aged  72.  He  was  a  native 
of  Ridgeficld,  Conn.,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1798.  He 
was  engaged  many  years  in  navigating  the  Hudson,  and 
was  afterwards  for  a  considerable  time  city  super- 


330  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1842. 

intendent.     He  survived  his  wife,  with  whom  he  had 
lived  54  years,  but  four  days. 

May  1,  The  receipts  into  the  city  treasury  during  the 
past  year  were  $197,639.16  ;  the  expenditures  were 
$193,877.50.  The  city  debt,  exclusive  of  the  bonds  issued 
on  account  of  the  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge  rail  road, 
was  $435,732.43. 

June  3.     Garret  W.  Van  Wie  died,  aged  73. 

June  8.     Josiah  Whitney  Carey  died,  aged  34. 

June  12.  Harriet  N.,  wife  of  Joseph  H.  Howard,  died 
at  Hartford,  Ct. 

June  13.  Catharine  Maria  De  Witt  died. 

June  18.  Anne,  wife  of  Capt.  Robert  Wood,  died. 

June  22.  A  special  meeting  of  the  common  council  was 
called  to  reinstate  Engine  company  No.  9.  The  recorder 
animadverted  upon  the  call  of  a  special  meeting  for  such 
a  purpose,  and  moved  to  adjourn.  The  vote  upon  the 
question  of  adjourning  was  8  to  8,  and  the  mayor  gave 
his  casting  vote  against  the  adjournment,  when  the  whig 
members  withdrew  and  left  the  board  without  a  quorum. 

June  23.  Jane,  wife  of  Robert  Blackall,  died,  aged  43. 

June  24.  This  day  was  devoted  to  a  great  temperance 
celebration  ;  the  weather  being  fine  and  the  arrange- 
ments extensive,  it  went  off  with  great  eclat. 

June  27.  Hugh  Boyd  died,  aged  25. 
John  Kervin  died,  aged  31. 

June  28.   Wm.  H.  Gains  died,  aged  54. 

July  4.  There  were  four  celebrations  of  the  day. 
1st,  The  General  celebration,  oration  by  Rev.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell ;  reading  declaration  by  Wm.  N.  Strong.  2d.  Tem- 
perance celebration,  oration  by  L.  Sprague  Parsons  ; 
reading  declaration  by  George  W.  Carpenter.  3d.  Young 
men's  Association,  oration  by  Wm.  H.  Hill:  reading  de- 
claration by  Isaac  L.  Lyon.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  af- 
ternoon, the  wives  and  children  of  the  Washingtonians 
(temperance  societies)  formed  a  procession  with  badges, 
and  marched  to  the  National  Garden,  where  they  held  a 
celebration. 

Anna,  wife  of  Charles  S.  Olmsted,  died,  aged  40. 


1842.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  (^    331 

July  5.     Jane,  wife  of  Patrick  Murphy,  died,  aged  36. 

July  7.     Cynthia,  wife  of  Giles  Sanford,  died. 

July  8.     Mrs.  Elsie  Pratt  died,  aged  45. 

July  9.     Sarah,  wife  of  Benjamin  Wilson,  died,  aged  74. 

July  10.  Rachel,  widow  of  Isaac  Hempsted,  died,  aged 
72. 

July  11.  Lucinda,  wife  of  Isaac  Dickinson,  died,  aged 
75. 

July  12.  Catharine,  wife  of  Edward  Mockery,  died, 
aged  24. 

July  16.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Isaac  N.  Comstock,  died. 

July  19.  Hannah  H.,  wife  of  Eliphalet  Steele,  died  at 
Oswego,  aged  73. 

July  20.  Mary,  daughter  of  James  Maher,  died,  aged  22. 

July  21.  Mrs.  Jane  Fanyou  died,  aged  82. 

July  23.  Mrs.  Rachael  Van  Wie  died,  aged  66. 

The  century  plant  which  had  been  in  the  possession  of 
Hon.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  more  than  half  a  century, 
and  which  was  now  being  brought  to  maturity  by  arti- 
ficial heat,  was  opened  to  public  exhibition  at  a  small 
price  for  the  benefit  of  the  Orphan  asylum. 

Aug.  I.     Mrs.  Magdalene  Shoemaker  died,  aged  67. 
Nicholas  Whalen  died,  aged  32. 

Aug.  3.     Thomas  Harvey  died. 

Aug.  5.     Poll}',  wife  of  Joseph  S.  Clark,  died,  aged  54. 
Benjamin  Cooper  died  at  Syracuse,  aged  63. 

Aug.  9.     Thomas  Perceval  died  at  Havana. 

Aug.  10.  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Milliman,  died,  aged  48. 

Aug.  13.  John  Galloway,  who  had  resided  here  some 
twelve  years,  died  near  Stirling,  Scotland. 

Aug.  20.  Anna,  wife  of  John  Stottler,  died,  aged  22. 

Aug.  24.  William  H.  Fondey  died  at  Elizabethtown, 
N.  J.,  aged  30. 

Sarah,   mother   of   Sybrant   Kittle,  died   in 
Schenectady,  aged  102. 

Aug.  25.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Shell  died,  aged  87. 

Aug.  26.  Mrs.  Mary  Wright  died,  aged  71. 

Sept.  4.  Martha,  widow  of  Joseph  Weed,  died  at 
Syracuse,  aged  65. 


332 


AWes  from  the  Newspapers. 


1842. 


Sept.  4.     Albert  A.  Smith,  died,  aged  38. 
Sept.  5.     William  Sherwood  died,  aged  21. 
Whole  number  of  deaths  during  the  month  past,  54  ; 
males  30,  females  24;  of  which  36  were  under  the  age 
of  10. 

Sept.  6.  The  common  council, 
on  motion  of  the  mayor,  B.  P. 
Staats,  appointed  a  competent 
person  to  translate  the  city  docu- 
ments that  had  been  written  in 
Dutch. 

Sept.  11.  Simon  Cramond  died, 
aged  38. 

Sept.  13.  The   American   aloe, 
or  century  plant,  in  the  patroon's 
garden  was    now  in  bloom,  and 
had  the  appearance  represented  in 
the  engraving.    This  ancient  den- 
izen  of  the  Manor  garden,   was 
purchased  soon  after  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  at  the  sale  of  a  con- 
fiscated estate  in  the  city  of  New- 
York.     It  was  then  a  well  grown 
plant,  and  had  now  been  standing 
in  the  green  house  of  its 
present  owner  nearly  sixty 
years,   and  was  supposed 
to  be  between  eighty  and 
ahundred  years  old.  For  the 
first  time  it  now 
gave  signs  of  put- 
ting forth  a  flower 
stem.     When  the 
bud   appeared,   it 
grew  with  aston- 
ishing       rapidity 
(18  inches  in  24 
hours),    and     on 

The  Century  Plant.  thls    ^    {t     had 


1842.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  333 

attained  21  feet  in  height  ;  and  being  a  novelty,  for  very 
few  had  ever  heard  that  such  a  plant  existed  anywhere, 
the  numbers  which  visited  it  were  very  great,  many  coming 
from  a  great  distance — one  person  came  from  Ohio  ex- 
pressly to  see  the  phenomenon. 

Sept.  17.  A  meeting  of  citizens  opposed  to  altering 
the  grade  of  State  street,  was  held  at  the  Capitol,  Erastus 
Corning  in  the  chair,  which  deprecated  the  extensive  al- 
terations being  made  by  the  common  council  in  various 
parts  of  the  city,  at  a  time  of  great  financial  distress. 

The  South  market,  which  had  been  erected  over  the 
old-Watering  place,  was  taken  down,  the  lot  filled  and  a 
dock  built,  for  a  steam  boat  landing.  As  such  it  was 
leased  to  Isaac  Newton  for  three  years  at  $1,000  a  year. 

Sept.  19.  Oliver  Teall,  a  soldier  of  the  revolution, 
died,  aged  84. 

Sept.  20.  Mrs.  Christina  Heaxt  died,  aged  102, 

Sept.  23.  John  McAlpine  died,  aged  78. 

Sept.  24.  Dr.  Ten  Eyck  Gansevoort  died  at  Bath, 
Steuben  co.,  aged  39  ;  son  of  Conrad  Gansevoort  of 
Albany. 

Sept.  26.  R.  Shepherd  Clapp  died,  aged  24. 

Sept.  28.  Sarah  C.,  wife  of  John  I.  Kane,  died. 

Sept.  29.  William  Nessle  was  elected  chamberlain. 

Oct.  3.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  the  re- 
turns of  the  special  election  in  the  10th  ward  for  alder- 
man were  received  :  John  Bucklin,  162  ;  E.  Thies,  94  ; 
Mr.  Bucklin  took  his  seat,  in  place  of  alderman  Chapman, 
resigned. 

Compensation  was  allowed  the  jurors  for  opening 
Hamilton  and  Dove  streets. 

Laws  to  open  Herkimer  street  from  Eagle  to  Lark,  and 
for  excavating  and  filling  Morton  street,  were  passed. 

The  board  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  New  York 
common  council  to  attend  the  Croton  celebration. 

Cicero  Loveridge  was  removed  from  the  office  of  police 
justice  avowedly  on  the  score  of  political  opinions,  and  not 
for  want  of  ability  or  from  misconduct.  Alderman  Win. 
L.  Osborn  was  directed  to  take  charge  of  the  books  and 

[Annals,  x.]  29 


334  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1842. 

papers  in  the  office.     The  whigs  had  a  minority  of  two 
in  the  board. 

Oct.  5.     Philip  Miller  died,  aged  58. 

Rebecca,  widow  of  Samuel  Shelley,  died  at 
Glenville,  Schenectady  co.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
John  Ledy,  and  it  appears  by  the  record  in  St.  Peter's 
church  that  she  was  baptized  in  the  year  1757. 

Oct.  8.  Eliza,  wife  of  Thomas  M.  Wilson,  died* 
aged  35. 

Oct.  12.  Ezra  Amos,  died,  aged  27. 

Oct.  17.  Isaac  D.  Elliot  died. 

Samuel  Norton  died  at  Lyme,  Ct.,  aged  73. 

Oct.  18.  The  Washington  Artillerists,  Capt.  Franklin 
Townsend,  made  their  first  target  excursion. 

Oct.  21.  David  Jackson  died,  aged  55. 

Oct.  27.  Cicero  Loveridge  died  of  scarlet  fever,  aged 
31.  As  a  political  and  general  writer  he  distinguished 
himself  as  editor  of  the  Troy  Morning  Mail;  he  possessed 
talents  of  a  high  order,  and  a  soul  alive  to  the  most  lofty 
and  generous  impulses. 

John  W.  Leake  died,  aged  62. 

Nov.  1.     Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pepoon  died,  aged  72. 

The  century  plant  at  the  Patroon's  garden  having 
come  to  maturity,  and  been  witnessed  by  a  great  number 
of  persons,  was  removed  to  New  York  for  exhibition 
there.  The  engraving  opposite  is  a  correct  representa- 
tion of  it  when  it  began  to  blossom.  It  was  about  26 
feet  in  height. 

Nov.  8.  Election.  Daniel  D.  Barnard  received  6,327 
votes  in  the  county  for  congress  ;  James  M.  French,  his 
opponent,  5,980.  Willis  Hall  received  6,303  for  As- 
sembly ;  Bradford  W.  Hand  5,988. 

Nov.  14.  Alexander  B.  McDoual,  some  time  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  Albany  Academy,  died  in  Troy,  aged  30. 

Nov.  19.  Andrew  Miller  died,  aged  24. 

Nov.  23.  Daniel  Pincott  died,  aged  20. 

Nov.  26.  Lewis  Farnham  died,  aged  60. 
James  R.  Webster  died,  aged  41. 

Nov.  28.  Catharine,  wife  of  Isaac  D.  Guyer  and 
daughter  of  Jonas  Wickes,  died,  aged  23. 


The  Century  Plant  at  Maturity. 


336  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1842. 

Nov.  28.  Mrs.  Catharine  Fitzpatrick  died,  aged  45. 

Nov.  29.  River  closed. 

Dec.  2.     Jane,  wife  of  Abraham  Herrick,  died,  aged  29. 

Dec.  4.  Maria  E.  E.,  wife  of  J.  Eustace  Whipple, 
and  daughter  of  the  late  John  L.  Viele,  died  at  Lansing- 
burgh,  aged  26. 

Isabella,   wife   of  Charles    C.   P.    Chapman, 

died,  aged  28. 
Martha  Jane  Blakeman  died,  aged  20. 

Dec.  10.  Margaret,  wife  of  Peter  Cure,  died,  aged  47. 

Dec.  11.  Margaret,  wife  of  Benj.  Austin,  died,  aged  82. 

Dec.  13.  Freedom  H.,  wife  of  R.  H.  Pitman,  died, 
aged  24. 

Dec.  15.  Malita,  wife  of  Joseph  S.  Henshaw,  died, 
aged  21. 

Dec.  20.  Rev.  Edward  F.  Allen,  pastor  of  the  Fourth 
Presbyterian  church,  died,  aged  28.  He  had  officiated 
in  that  church  6  years. 

Gertrude,  wife  of  Abraham  Van  Vechten,  of  Catskill, 
died,  daughter  of  the  late  Abraham  Van  Vechten,  of  this 
'City. 

Dec.  22.  Betsey  Ingalls  died,  aged  50. 

Dec.  25.  The  large  brick  building,  corner  of  South 
Lansing  street  and  the  dock,  which  had  been  occupied  by 
Howard  &  Ryckman  as  a  brewery,  was  destroyed  by 
fire;  loss  $10,000,  insured  for  $8,0004. 

Dec.  29.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Eldart  J.  Visscher,  died, 
aged  26. 

Isabella,  widow  of  Charles  McPherson,  died 
in  New  York,  aged  86. 

Dec.  31.  Rev.  Frederick  George  Mayer,  pastor  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  died.  He  had  officiated  37  years. 

1843. 

Jan.  2.     Thermometer  10  deg.  below  zero. 

The  governor's   message   was   expressed   to 

New  York  by  horse  power  in  lOh.  25m. 
Jan.  4.     Thermometer  13.  deg.  below  zero. 


1843.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  337 

Jan.  4.     Dr.  John  Scudder,  the  oculist,  died. 

Jan.  6.     Sarah  Fergeson  died. 

Jan.  16.  Nathaniel  M.  Hazard  died  at  Yorkville,  aged 
36. 

Jan.  18.  Martin  Spencer  died,  aged  42. 

Jan.  20.  David  Pruyn  died,  aged  72. 

Wm.  Henry  Dickenson  died,  aged  44. 

Jan.  21.  The  steamboat  Oliver  Elsworth,  left  her  dock 
here,  and  in  the  language  of  the  Evening  Journal,  "found 
a  passage  through  the  dammed  ice  at  Barren  Island." 
[For  Barren  read  Beeren,  jivhich  is  good  Dutch.] 

The  winter  route  to  New  York  was  by  the  Housatonic 
rail  road. 

Feb.  1.  Redmond  Hastings  died  at  New  Orleans  of 
yellow  fever,  aged  26. 

Feb.  2.     Isaac  Denniston,  Jr.,  died. 

Feb.  5.  Esther,  widow  of  Peter  Rosekrans,  died,  aged 
74. 

Feb.  6.     Austin  Rising  died,  aged  29. 

Feb.  10.  Susan  A.,  wife  of  R.  D.  Granger,  died,  aged  24. 
William  W.  Crannell  died,  aged  32. 
Aaron  Springsted  died,  aged  39. 

Feb.  15.  Maria,  wife  of  B.  Bicknell,  died,  aged  41. 

Feb.  17.  Thermometer  15  deg.  below  zero. 

Feb.  19.  Elizabeth  G.,  wife  of  Dr.  L.  Moore,  and 
daughter  of  the  late  Horace  Allen,  died  at  Ballston, 
aged  34. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Stevenson  died,  aged  59. 

Feb.  22.  James  Van  Ingen  died,  aged  76. 

Feb.  23.  George  Vance,  Jr.,  one  of  the  publishers  of 
the  Albany  Atlas,  died. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Capitol  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  an  Emigrant  Society,  Garret  L.  Dox,  chair- 
man ;  John  Tracey ,  secretary .  The  following  officers  were 
elected : 

Bradford  R.  Wood,  president. 

Teunis  Van  Vechten,  John   Q.  Wilson,   James   Mc- 
Naughton,  and  Thomas  Gough,  vice-presidents. 
Anthony  Gould,  treasurer. 


338  Notes  from  the  Newspapers  1843. 

Arthur  C.  South  wick,  secretary. 

Wm.  Cassidy,  corresponding  secretary. 

And  a  board  of  25  directors. 

Feb.  24.  Rosina  M.,  wife  of  Andrew  Colvin,  died. 

Feb.  27.  Michael  Brossett  died,  aged  68. 

March  2.  Robert  Hunter  died,  aged  50.  He  was 
born  in  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  in  1793;  removed  to  Pal- 
myra in  1809,  from  which  time  till  his  death,  he  was 
engaged  in  the  business  of  transportation.  Until  the 
completion  of  the  canal  he  owned  several  of  those  cum- 
brous vehicles  known  as  Pennsylvania  six-horse  wagons, 
one  of  which  he  drove  himself  for  fifteen  years.  On  the 
completion  of  the  canal,  he  invested  the  whole  of  his 
earnings  in  the  Pilot  Line  of  canal  boats,  which  by  the 
mismanagement  or  dishonesty  of  agents  in  New  York, 
brought  ruin  upon  the  association.  Mr.  Hunter  soon 
found  means  to  enable  him  to  enter  the  Merchants'  Line, 
in  1829,  after  which  time  his  business  relations  expanded 
until  he  became  prosperously  concerned  in  the  com- 
merce of  the  Hudson  river  and  the  lakes,  as  well  as  the 
canal.  He  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  president  of  the 
Canal  Bank,  and  was  the  third  president  of  that  institu- 
tion that  had  died  within  four  years. 

March  3,  Joseph  Dennison  died.  He  was  a  native 
of  Stonington,  Ct.,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1809,  since 
which  he  had  sustained  the  character  of  an  intelligent 
merchant,  a  useful  citizen  and  an  honest  man. 

March  5.  Harriet  M.,  wife  of  Albert  Conkling,  and 
daughter  of  Erastus  Hills,  died,  aged  22. 

Harriet,  wife  of  Stephen  Van  Schaick,  died, 
aged  48. 

March  6.  The  common  council  passed  a  law  regu- 
lating the  duties  of  the  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  depart- 
ment, and  fixing  his  salary  at  $600. 

March  7.  Amelia  Gibbons,  wife  of  Joab  Stafford,  died 
at  Utica. 

March  10.  Richard  Walker  died,  aged  53. 

March  13.  Magdalena,  widow  of  Theodorus  Van 
Wyck  Graham,  died,  aged  77. 


1843.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

March  13.  Isabella,  widow  of  Finlay  Stewart,  died, 

aged  85. 

March  14.  Mary,  wife  of  Col.  John  Taylor,  died. 
March  16.  Nathaniel  Smith,  a  soldier  of  the  revolu- 
tion, died,  aged  82. 

Mrs.    Martha    Hoffman    died,    aged    68; 

mother  of  Lewis  G.  Hoffman. 
March  17.  Otis  Bishop  died,  aged  47. 
A  snow  storm  blocked  up  all  the  avenues  to  the  city, 
and  the  country  for  a  great  distance  around  lay  under 
three  or  four  feet  of  snow.. 

Mrs.  Cornelia  Williamson  died,  aged  50. 
March  20.  Mrs.  Jane  Nugent  died,  aged  67. 
March  22.  John  Weaver  died,  aged  69. 
March  25.  Harriet,  wife  of  Dr.  Isaiah  Breakey,  died, 
aged  47. 

March  26.  A  fire  at  the  corner  of  Green  and  Beaver 
streets,  formerly  Dunn's  Hotel,  burnt  out  several  trades- 
men ;  a  Mrs.  Coughtry  was  so  severely  burnt  that  she 
died;  Fisher  lost  his  eyesight  and  was  disfigured  for  life; 
and  Charles  Pohlman,  the  chief-engineer,  had  both  legs* 
broken.  Mrs.  Coughtry  kept  a  millinery  store  and  board- 
ing house,  and  thinking  one  of  her  children  had  been  left 
in  the  house,  could  not  be  prevented  from  going  in. 

The  extraordinary  snow  storms  of  the  last  week  ob- 
structed the  railroads  and  shut  up  travelers  in  their 
hotels.  It  was  estimated  that  10  ft.  9  in.  of  snow  had 
fallen  during  the  winter. 

March  30.  William  McCulloch  died,  aged  62. 
April  2.     Mary,  widow  of  Leonard  Ganseyoort,  died, 
aged  82. 

William  Proctor  died,  aged  42. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was  removed  from  the  post 
office,  and  was  succeeded  by  James  D.  Wasson. 
April  3.     John  Mabon  died,  aged  52. 
April  5.     Mark  Little  died,  aged  33. 

Adonijah  Moody  died,  aged  72. 
April  6.     Daniel  D.  Stone  died,  aged  33. 

Mary,  wife  of  James  Gibson,  died,  aged  71. 


340  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1843. 

April  9.     Alice  Cagger  died,  aged  31. 

April  11.  The  charter  election  resulted  in  the  defeat 
of  the  democrats,  who  had  carried  the  city  two  years  in 
succession.  The  vote  for  mayor  was  as  follows : 

Friend  Humphrey, 3,199 

,       Peter  Gansevoort, 2,994 

The  vote  for  aldermen  was  as  follows: 

WHIGS.  DEMOCRATS. 

1st  Ward.— Styles  Mix,.. 212  Wm.  Chambers, 296 

Richard  Bortle, 204  Peter  Carmichael, ....   303 

2d  Ward.  —  Peter  Van  Buren, 237  W.  ~W.  Forsyth, 289 

W.  W.  Frothingham,  241  Wm.  W.  Monteath,. . .  295 

3d  Ward.—G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, . .  .  445  M.  Hendrickson, 484 

Chas.  De  Forest,,...    434  John  M.  Hughes,   ...   484« 

4th  Ward.—  Wm.  Adams, 484  Henry  H.  Martin, 278 

D.  Worthington, . . . .   483  George  Warren, 331 

5th  Ward.—  Visscher  Ten  Eyck, .  357  G.  Y.  Lansing, 291 

Andrew  White, 344  Joel  Rathbone, 292 

6th  Ward.— Wm.  McElroy, 305  D.  V.  N.  Radcliff,. . . .    218 

E.M.Teall, 302  Nathan  T.  Higbie,. ...  217 

7th  Ward.— Rensselaer  West, 280  James  Maher, 247 

Robert  McCollom,.    .  257  John  Bucklin,. 255 

SthWard.—Vfm.  B.  Scott, 237  John   McKnight, 304 

Wm.  Jones 231  Jacob  Downing,. 288 

Qth  Ward.— J.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  450  Bradford  R.  Wood, ...   254 

Ichabod  L.  Judson, . .  454  Robert  E.  Temple, 247 

IGth  Ward. -Joshua  I.  Jones,....    354  Anthony  Gould, 209 

Thomas  Kirkpatrick,  345  Henry  H.  Van  Dyck,.   203 

April  12.  Anna,  widow  of  Rev.  John  De  Witt,  died, 
aged  46. 

April  13.  The  river  was  open,  and  the  steam  boat 
Utica  arrived. 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  Priestly  Young,  died. 

April  15.  Thomas  Bayeux  was  appointed  justice  of  the 
Justices'  court  in  place  of  Gerrit  L.  Dox. 

April  16.  Robert  Talbot  died,  aged  35. 

Martha,  widow  of  Gilbert  R.  Livingston,  and  sister  of 
James  Kane,  died  in  New  York,  aged  88.  Mr.  Kane 
was  now  the  sole  survivor  of  his  family. 

April  18.  The  new  board  of  common  council  made  the 
following  appointments: 


1843.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  341 

S.  H.  H.  Parsons,  clerk. 
H.  H.  Hickcox,  deputy  chamberlain. 
Horace  B.  Webster,  attorney. 
Wm.  McC.  Cushman,  surveyor. 
Isaac  M.  Comstock,  police  justice. 
John  Morgan,  almshouse  superintendent. 
April  19.  Abigail,  wife  of  John  Boardman,  died,  aged 
70. 

April  20.  William  Nessle  resigned  the  office  of  cham- 
berlain, and  C.  W.  Bender  was  appointed. 
April  25.  James  I.  Wynkoop  died,  aged  52. 
April  27.  Rachel,  wife  offcobert  Elliott,  died. 
April  30.  Elisha  Dorr  died,  aged  80.     He  was  a  na- 
tive of  Lyme,   Ct.,  and  a  volunteer  in  the  revolution 
under  Capt.  Winslow,  who  was  stationed  on  Long  Is- 
land.    At  the  close  of  the  war  he  left  home  on  foot,  and 
came  to  this  city,  where  he  was  successful  in  business, 
and  by  his  intelligence  and  enterprise,  contributed  large- 
ly to  the  prosperity  of  the  city  during  the  sixty  years 
he  continued  here. 

May  6.     Cornelia  A.  Winne  died. 

Margaret,  wife  of  Henry  T.   Mesick,  died, 

aged  43. 

May  10.  Thomas  P.  Jones  died,  aged  32. 
May  14.  Mrs.  Jane  Brewster  died,  aged  71. 
Comparison  of  the  city  finances  for  two  years: 

Receipts  to  May  1,  1842, $197,639'16 

Expenditures 193,877-50 

Receipts  to  May  1,  1843 273,128-72 

Expenditures, 271,252-88 

May  22.  Roger  Magennis  died,  aged  34. 
May  29.  Joseph  A.  Rust  died,  aged  65  ;  formerly  of 
Chester,  Mass. 

May  30.  Philemon  Van  Cott  died  at  Norwich,  Ct., 
aged  46  ;  formerly  captain  of  the  New  York  State  Ar- 
tillery Company. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  friends  of  the  Bethel  at  Stanwix 
Hall,  the  following  were  elected  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year: 


342  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1843. 

Wm.  A.  Tweed  Dale,  president. 
Wm.  N.  Strong,  vice-president. 
P.  Trainor,  secretary. 
Galen  Batchelor,  treasurer. 

John  Miles  was  elected  chaplain,  and  Abraham  Covert, 
general  agent. 

June  1.     Elsie  Lush  died. 

June  2.  Juliaette,  wife  of  Chauncey  P.  Kellogg,  died, 
aged  29. 

June  3.  Ann  C.,  wife  of  Daniel  S.  Flagg,  died,  aged 
32. 

The  Manor  House  of  the  late  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
which  had  been  under  extensive  repairs  since  his  death, 
was  now  remodeled  and  rejuvenated,  and  the  Young 
Patroon  took  possession  of  it. 

June  4.     George  T.  Bennett  died. 
June  6.     David  P.  Winne  died,  aged  66. 
John  S.  Van  Rensselaer  made  a  report  to  the  common 
council  on  the  Soup  house,  by  which  it  appeared  that 
there  was  a  difference  of  $1,800  in  its  expenses  over 
those  of  1838,  and  that  gross  frauds  had  been  committed. 
June  18.  Aaron  Brown  died,  aged  69. 
June  19.  Jonathan  Shaw  died,  aged  60. 
June  21.  Laban  W.  Keith  died,  aged  23. 

Catelina,  widow  of  Peter  Brooks,  died,  aged 

62. 
Christiana,  wife  of  Wm.  Rankin,  died,  aged 

32. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Capitol ;  Dr.  B.  P.  Staats, 
president,  to  discuss  the  topic  of  Irish  repeal,  which 
agitated  Great  Britain. 

Seth  Hastings,  formerly  a  merchant  here,  was  ap- 
pointed post  master  at  Brainerd's  Bridge. 

June  22.  Hannah,  wife  of  John  Thomas,  died,  aged  42. 
June  23.  Sarah,  widow  of  George  Webster,  died. 
June  29.  Elizabeth  Sugden  died,  aged  62. 

Mrs.  Anna  Cureton  died,  aged  73. 
June  30.  Philip  Nash  died,  aged  45. 
July  2.     Hannah  Nelligar  died,  aged  72. 


J843.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  343 

July  4.  General  celebration,  oration  by  Willis  Hall; 
reading  Declaration,  by  Edward  S.  Willett.  Young 
Men's  celebration,  oration  by  Isaac  Vanderpoel;  reading 
Declaration,  by  Addison  Low. 

John  V.  L.  Pruyn  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  rail  road  company  in  place 
of  Gideon  Hawley,  resigned. 

July  6.     Lewis  Lewis  died,  aged  66. 

July  8.     Daniel  Pohlman  died,  aged  75. 

July  10.  William  Richards  died,  aged  44. 

July  12.  John  Keyes  Paige  was  elected  president  of 
the  Canal  Bank. 

July  13.  William  D.  Johnson  died,  aged  26. 

July  17.  John  Gill  died  at  Philadelphia,  aged  66. 

July  23.  Phebe  Ann,  wife  of  Juhal  T.  Russell,  died. 

July  24.  Mary,  widow  of  Stephen  Ball,  died,  aged  81; 
formerly  of  Ballston. 

Aug.  2.  John  Quincy  Adams  arrived  in  the  city  and 
was  received  with  great  enthusiasm. 

Aug.  7.  It  appeared  by  a  debate  in  common  council 
that  the  expenses  of  removing  snow  from  the  streets 
during  the  past  winter  was  $1,245*72;  of  which  sum 
$882  was  expended  during  the  first  ten  days  of  April. 

Aug.  8.     Emily  Townsend  died,  aged  25. 
Jesse  Peters  died,  aged  23. 
Charles  C.  Many  died  at  Philadelphia,  aged  35. 

Aug.  9.     Mrs.  Nancy  Bloomirigdal  died,  aged  70. 

Aug.  11.  Mary,  widow  of  Thomas  Dowling,  died, 
aged  61. 

Aug.  12.  John  C.  Yates  died,  aged  29;  son  of  the  late 
John  Van  Ness  Yates. 

Aug.  18.  The  Knickerbocker,  steamboat,  arrived  from 
New  York  in  7h.  33m.  running  time;  her  first  trip. 

Aug.  19.  Wilmarth  Southwick  died,  aged  65;  brother 
of  Solomon  Southwick. 

Aug.  22.  Julia  A.,  wife  of  Stephen  McKissick,  died, 
aged  31. 

Cornelius  Vanderbelt,  of  the  firm  of  Robinson 
&  Vanderbelt,  died,  aged  53. 


344  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1843. 

Aug.  23.  Thomas  Tilt  died,  aged  38. 
Aug.  23.  Mary  M.,  wife   of  Daniel    Berthelon,  died, 
aged  45. 

Aug.  27.  Anna,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Miller,  died, 
aged  24. 

Sophia  Matilda,  daughter  of  Wm.  Gladding, 

died,  aged  18. 
Caroline,  wife  of  Lansing  Van  Zandt,  died, 

aged  23. 

The  friends  of  the  late  Cicero  Loveridge  erected  a 
monument  to  his  memory  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
burial  ground. 

The  common  council  abolished  the  sale  of  meat  in 
wagons  in  State  street,  and  directed  that  such  vehicles 
should  stand  in  Howard  street  or  the  vicinity  of  the 
markets. 

Sept.  2.     George  M.  Stevens  died,  aged  52. 
Sept.  4.     The    Daily   Knickerbocker   was  begun    by 
Hugh  J.  Hastings. 

Sept.  5.     George  W.  Merchant  died,  aged  53. 
Sept.  6.     Elias  Mather  died,  aged  67. 
Sept.  19.  Mrs.  Grizel  McHarg  died,  aged  96. 
Sept.  20.  Gen.  James  McCabe  died,  aged  53. 
Sept.  24.  Rev.  Henry  N.  Pohlman  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Ebenezer  church,  corner  of 
Lodge  and  Pine  streets. 

Sept.  25.  John  R.  Martin  died,  aged  32. 
Oct.  3.     James  Vanderpoel  died,  aged  57  ;  for  many 
years  one  of  the  circuit  judges  of  this  state. 
Oct.  6.     Nancy,  widow  of  John  Lovett,  died. 
Oct.  13.  The  Rev.  Samuel  Fisher,  of  West  Bloomfield, 
N.  J.,  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Fourth  Presbyterian 
church. 

Oct.  16.  The  common  council  appropriated  $150  for  a 
steering  wheel  ornamented  in  a  peculiar  manner,  for  the 
new  government  frigate  which  had  been  named  Albany 
in  honor  of  this  city. 

Oct.  16.  Isaac  Burton  died,  aged  67. 

Oct.  17.  Ann,  wife  of  Spelman  Hickcox,  died,  aged  48. 


1843.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  345 

Oct.  20.  Tennis  Brinckerhoff,  of  the  firm  of  J.  &  T. 
Brinckerhoff,  died,  aged  37. 

Oct.  22.  A  snow  storm  commenced  in  the  evening, 
leaving  a  coat  of  about  one  inch  in  thickness. 

Oct.  23.  Sarah,  wife  of  Zebulon  Utter,  died,  aged  80. 

Oct.  27.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Nutt  died,  aged  97  ;  the 
heroine  of  the  Pye  tavern  robbery,  on  the  Troy  road. 

The  Unitarian  society  held  their  meetings  in  Blunt's 
Building,  corner  of  State  and  South  Pearl  streets,  but 
had  no  settled  pastor. 

Nov.  1.  Mary,  wife  of  Jeremiah  J.  Austin,  died, 
aged  22. 

Nov.  7.  Election;  whigs  triumphant.  Samuel  Stevens 
was  elected  to  the  assembly,  and  Christopher  Batterman 
sheriff. 

Nov.  14.  Joshua  Tuffs,  an  extensive  merchant,  died, 
aged  59. 

Nov.  16.  James  McClure,  of  the  firm  of  J.  &  A.  Mc- 
Clure,  died,  aged  45.  Mr.  McClure  was  sometime  alder- 
man of  the  tenth  ward,  and  found  time,  while  prosecuting 
an  active  business,  to  assist  in  the  furthering  of  import- 
ant civil  and  benevolent  enterprises.  Long  before  the 
organization  of  the  present  gas  company,  he  made  an 
effort  to  engage  the  attention  of  capitalists  in  that  direc- 
tion, and  made  experiments  to  illustrate  the  advantages 
and  the  feasibility  of  the  project,  but  without  success. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
sabbath  school. 

Nov.  17.  Abel  French  died,  aged  78.  He  was  eight 
years  a  resident  of  Oneida  county,  and  followed  the  pro- 
fession of  a  land  surveyor,  and  during  the  whole  time 
was  a  representative  in  the  state  legislature.  He  had 
been  a  citizen  of  Albany  nearly  sixty  years,  and  re- 
presented this  county  in  the  legislature  for  several  years. 
He  was  an  active  participant  in  all  the  enterprises  which 
attended  the  progress  of  the  city,  and  contributed  to  its 
prosperity.  He  was  a  man  of  great  force  of  character, 
sagacious,  energetic  and  independent,  and  accumulated 
a  considerable  fortune. 

[Annals,  x.]  30 


346  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1843. 

Nov.  17.  Uriah  Hughes  died,  aged  63. 

Nov.  21.  Lemuel  L.  Steele  died,  aged  40. 

Nov.  21.  Myndersen  Van  Zandt  died,  aged  30. 

Nov.  24.  John  G.  Wasson  died,  aged  67. 

Nov.  26.  James  W.  Robinson  died  at  Worcester,  Ot- 
sego  county. 

Nov.  27.  The  common  council  sanctioned  the  contract 
executed  by  the  mayor  26th  September,  with  the  Mo- 
hawk and  Hudson  rail  road  company,  by  which  a  loan 
of  $125,000  was  made  to  them  for  20  years  at  5  per  cent, 
at  which  rate  it  could  be  borrowed  by  the  city.  A  sum 
not  exceeding  $60,000  was  to  be  expended  by  the  city 
for  the  track  and  depot,  and  leased  to  the  company  for 
20  years  at  a  nominal  rent  ;  at  the  expiration  of  that 
time  the  company  was  to  pay  for  the  track  and  depot 
the  amount  of  its  cost,  or  an  annual  rent  equivalent  to 
5  per  cent,  on  such  amount.  The  company  to  proceed 
immediately  to  construct  a  new  branch  on  the  route  of 
the  Patroon's  creek  to  the  Boston  rail  road  ferry. 

Nov.  30.  Joseph  G.  Jenkins,  late  commander  of  the 
steam  boat  Albany,  died  at  Hudson,  aged  49. 
Daniel  C.  Gager  died,  aged  46. 

Nov.  31.  Adam  P.  Bradt  died,  aged  56. 

Dec.  2.     Jane  Reynolds  died,  aged  22. 

Dec.  5.  The  river  was  so  nearly  closed  that  the 
night  boat  did  not  venture  above  Hudson.  The  press 
relied  upon  the  Harlem  rail  road  for  early  news. 

Dec.  6.     Edward  Brown  died,  aged  28. 

Dec.  8.    Horace  B.Webster, city  attorney,  died,  aged  31. 

Dec.  9.     Atwood  Steele  died,  aged  25. 
Wm.  Darke  died,  aged  39. 

Dec.  10.  James  Waide  died,  aged  75. 

Dec.  11.  Abraham  Van  Vechten  was  elected  city  at- 
torney in  place  of  Horace  1>.  Webster,  deceased. 

Dec.  14.  John  H.  Dwyer,  a  noted  elocutionist,  and 
personator  of  Falstaff,  died,  aged  60. 

Dec.  15.  Sylvanus  Jocelyn  died,  aged  53. 

Dec.  16.  Clarissa  Ann,  widow  of  Daniel  S.  Kittle, 
died,  aged  43. 


1844.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  347 

Dec.  25.  The  South  Baptist  Society  dedicated  their 
new  church  edifice  in  South  Pearl  street  at  the  head  of 
Herkimer. 

Dec.  26.  Edward  Jordan  died,  aged  48. 

Dec.  28.  Lydia,  wife  of  Abraham  Grovestein,  died, 
aged  50. 

1844. 

Jan.  1.  Jane  Shepherd,  wife  of  G.  V.  S.  Bleecker, 
died,  aged  43. 

Jan.  2.  Otis  Dimmick,  who  had  made  two  remarkable 
express  trips  to  New  York,  already  noticed,  carried  the 
governor's  message  to  Troy  on  horseback,  in  24  minutes. 

Jan.  8.     Nicholas  Bleecker  died,  aged  86. 

Charles  E.  Jenkins,  Matthew  Trotter  and  Lafayette 
D.  Holstein  were  admitted  to  practice  as  attorneys  in  the 
supreme  court. 

Jan.  17.  Mrs.  Urania  Smith  died,  aged  69. 

Jan.  22.  Anthony  Rhoades  Armington  died,  aged  37. 

Jan.  23.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Malcom  died,  aged  40. 

Jan.  24.  Mrs.  Hannah,  widow  of  Wilmarth  Southwick, 
died,  aged  75. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  Francis  Tows,  died,  aged  60. 

Jan.  28.  Thermometer  14  deg.  below  zero.  The  past 
week  had  been  remarkably  cold. 

Jan.  30.  Roswell  Bellows  died,  aged  66. 

Feb.  I.  Henry  L.  Webb  announced  that  he  had  sold 
his  stock  in  trade  to  Gregory  &  Co.,  the  successors  of 
Gregory  &  Bain  in  the  crockery  business.  The  house  of 
Webb  &  Dummer  was  established  in  1807;  the  firm  name 
was  afterwards  J.  H.  &  H.  L.  Webb,  H.  &  C.  Webb,  and 
Webb  &  Douglas,  and  finally  Henry  L.  Webb,  and  was 
now  discontinued  after  a  period  of  37  years.  It  was  the 
first  house  in  this  branch  of  business  that  extended  a  credit 
to  the  merchants  of  the  Northwest  territory,  then  almost 
a  wilderness,  often  astonishing  the  burgers  of  Albany 
by  a  display  of  packages  marked  Fort  Winnebago, 
Green  Bay,  Chicago,  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  Pontiac,  Detroit, 


348  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1844* 

&c.,  places  having  a  very  uncertain  whereabouts  in  the 
far  west,  absolutely  beyond  the  reach  of  civilization. 
Michigan,  until  the  establishment  of  their  branch  in  De- 
troit in  1834,  drew  her  supplies  almost  exclusively  from 
them. 

Feb.  1.  Wm.  W.  Dougherty  died  in  New  York, 
aged  60. 

Feb.  4.     Mrs.  Mary  Mills  died,  aged  56. 

Feb.  6.  Charles  Smyth  died,  aged  60.  He  was  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  those  extensive  transportation  enterprises 
to  the  far  west  which  have  enriched  so  many  others,  and 
was  the  first  agent  of  the  tow  boats  on  the  Hudson 
river. 

Feb.  9.     Catharine,  widow  of  Rufus  L.  Slawson,  died. 

Feb.  10.  Spencer  Stafford  died,  aged  72. 

Feb.  14.  Benjamin  Austin,  a  soldier  of  the  revolution, 
died,  aged  87. 

Feb.  15.  William  R.  Hills  died,  aged  50. 

Feb.  19.  Nancy,  wife  of  Samuel  Boyd,  died,  aged  60, 

Feb.  23.  Hannah  Spencer  died,  aged  73. 

Feb.  25.  John  McDowall  died,  aged  69. 

Salem  Dutcher  died  in  New  York,  aged  41  ;  formerly 
of  the  firm  of  Dutcher  &  Harris,  of  this  city. 

Feb.  26.  John  Goodrich  died,  aged  70. 

Feb.  28.  Hagar,  wife  of  David  Van  Vrankin,  died, 
aged  53. 

Feb.  29.  Sally,  widow  of  Major  Brown,  died,  aged  59. 

March  1.     Sybrant  Kittle  died,  aged  68. 

March  2.     Ellen,  wife  of  James  Boyd,  died,  aged  31. 

March  3.     Lawrence  Paddock  died,  aged  47. 

March  5.     Smith  Cogswell  died,  aged  73. 

March  8.     Mary  S.,  wife  of  Luther  Tucker,  died. 
Charles  Anderson  died,  aged  37. 

March  10.  Col.  Robert  Elliott,  for  nearly  a  quarter  of 
a  century  assistant  postmaster,  died. 

March  11.  John  V.  Henry  died  at  Jackson,  Michigan. 
He  was  a  son  of  the  late  John  V.  Henry,  of  this  city,  had 
been  postmaster  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  a  judge  of  the  county 
court. 


1844.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

March  14.  Mary  Anderson  died,  aged  27. 

The  ice  broke  up,  and  as  usual,  cut  off  all  communi- 
cation with  the  rail  road  terminus,  on  the  opposite  side. 

March  15.  John  Van  Vorst  died,  aged  60. 

March  18.  David  Wooster  died,  aged  53. 

March  21.  Ephraim  L.  Van  Buren  died,  aged  37. 

March  22.  Win.  H.  Pitkin  died,  aged  33.  He  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  and  a  son  of  Hon.  Timothy 
Pitkin. 

Mar.  24.  Dorothy  wife  of  John  M.  Hughes  died,  aged  48. 

March  25.  John  Carson  died,  aged  37. 

March  29.  Abraham  Sf.  Groat  died,  aged  61. 

The  Third  Presbyterian  Society  sold  their  church 
edifice  in  Montgomery  street,  and  purchased  the  site 
corner  of  Patroon  and  Chapel  streets,  on  Clinton  square. 

March  30.  Although  the  river  had  been  open  a  few 
days,  there  came  on  a  snow  storm  which,  with  the 
severity  of  the  weather,  prevented  the  arrival  of  boats 
for  several  days. 

April  1.  The  common  council  took  measures  favor- 
able to  the  project  of  the  establishment  here  of  the  State 
Normal  School. 

April  2.     Alexander  Guthrie  died,  aged  25. 

April  7.     Susan  Knapp  died,  aged  73. 

April  9.  Magdalene,  widow  of  Benj.  Van  Wie,  died, 
aged  67. 

Charter  election:  Whig  mayor  elected. 

Friend  Humphrey, 3,268 

George  W.  Stanton, 2,638— 630  maj. 

WHIGS.  Aldermen.  DEMOCRATS. 

lit  Ward— Samuel  Watson, 197     Wm.  Chambers, 278 

Wm    Mink, 188     H.  R.  Phelps, 276 

2d  Ward.— Stephen  Groesbeeck,. . .   264     Peter  Carmichael, ..   2S7 

A.  D.  L.  Whipple, 253     P.  Van  Benthuysen,.  286 

3d   Ward.— G.  V.  S.   Bleecker, 544     J.  E.   Hermans, 348 

Robert  Freeman, 517     M.   Henclrickson,. . .   357 

4th  Ward.— Wm.  Adams, 434     Wm.  Smith, 322 

D.  Worihington, 476     J.  W.  Harcourt, 360 

5th  Ward.—  Thos.  McMullen, 296     B.  P.  Staats. 202 

George  Dexler, 300     Thomas  Gough,. ...    198 

6th  Ward.— Wm.   McElroy, 287     Robert  Whitlock,. ..    173 

E.  M.  Teall, 278     F.  H.  Hastings, ISO 


350                    Notts  from  the  Newspapers.  1844. 

WHIGS.  DEMOCRATS. 

1th  Ward.— Renssela^r  West 244  John  Van  Ness,  Jr.,  230 

Robert  McCollom,. ...   232  Timothy  Spears,         282 

Sth  Ward. — Josiah  Winants, 178  John  McKnight,. 

Wm.  Jones, 214  D.  D.  Ramsey,.. 

9th  Ward.—  Alfred  B.  Street, 437     Kli  Perry. 

Chr.  Adams, 392  Watts  Sherman,. 


IQth  TTarrf.-Michael  A  richer, 336     John  K.  Paige, 


283 
249 
402 
332 
233 
Philander  Coley,' 341  H.  H.  Van  Dy'ck,  220 

There  was  also  a  Native  American  ticket  in  the  7th 
ward  of  from  50  to  67  votes,  and  what  was  termed  a 
Bolter's  ticket  in  the  Sth  ward,  of  from  72  to  125  votes. 

Bills  passed  the  legislature  about  this  time,  incorporat- 
ing the  Albany  Medical  College,  the  Albany  Penitenti- 
ary, and  the  Albany  Hydrant  company. 

April  11.  Rebecca,  wife  of  John  G.  Whitney,  died, 
aged  27. 

April  14.  Mary,  widow  of  A.  Richardson,  died,  aged  67. 

April  16.  The  new  board  of  common  council  elected 
its  officers,  when  the  following  were  reelected  :  S.  H. 
H.  Parsons,  clerk  of  the  board  ;  H.  H.  Hickcox,  deputy 
chamberlain;  Abraham  Van  Vechten,  city  attorney. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  it  was  announced 
that  a  contract  had  been  made  with  Kirkpatrick  and  La 
Grange,  to  supply  the  Almshouse  with  meat  at  2£  cts.  a 
pound. 

April  25.  Anne,  wife  of  Joshua  I.  Jones,  died,  aged  36. 

Nancy,  widow  of  Cornelius  Van  Wie,  died,  aged  77. 

Hugh  Humphrey,  who  had  been  superintendent  of  the 
Water  Works  company  more  than  twenty-six  years,  re- 
signed the  office. 

April  30.  Angeline  T.,  wife  of  H.  W.  Allen,  died, 
aged  25. 

The  old  Montgomery  Hall  was  demolished  ;  also  the 
old  hotel  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Steuben  street 
was  razed  to  make  way  for  the  Delavan  House. 

The  chamberlain  reported  the  receipts  of  the  past  year 
to  have  been  $322,809-65;  expenditures,  $303^44-98. 

May  6.     Cynthia,  wife  of  Benj.  Deuel,  died. 

May  7.     Adam  Helmer  died,  aged  72. 

May  8.  Christiana,  wife  of  N.  B.  Shaw,  died,  aged  28. 
Edmund  Kriower  died  in  New  York,  aged  37. 


1844.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  351 

May  11.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Selkirk,  died,  aged  79. 

May  12.  Dr.  Henry  Greene  died,  aged  54. 

May  15.  Dr.  Abraham  G.  Lansing  died. 

May  18.  Eliza  Hoffman  died,  aged  50. 

May  22.  Andrew  McMullen  died  in  New  York,  aged  69. 

May  24.  Mrs.  Anna  Cook  died,  aged  71. 

May  29.  Funeral  honors  were  paid  to  the  memory  of 
Col.  John  Mills,  who  fell  in  battle  at  Sackett's  Harbor, 
29th  May,  1813.  His  remains  had  been  removed  to  this 
city,  and  reinterred  in  the  Capitol  Park.  A  eulogy  was 
delivered  on  the  occasion  by  Robert  E.  Temple,  Esq. 

May  30.  The  steam  boat  South  America  made  the 
passage  from  New  York  to  Albany  in  the  very  short  space 
of  7  hours,  running  time;  the  quickest  trip  ever  made. 

June  4.     Capt.  Thomas  Bayeux  died,  aged  43. 

June  9.     Mary,  wife  of  James  Denniston,  died,  aged  52. 

June  10.  Stanwix  Hall,  which  had  been  some  time 
undergoing  extensive  alterations,  was  opened  this  day  as 
a  hotel  by  Wheeler  &  Bromley. 

John  L.  Winne,  Joseph  Hall  and  others,  having  me- 
morialized the  common  council  in  relation  to  the  condi- 
tion of  the  burial  ground  on  Ten  Broeck  street,  between 
Second  and  Third  streets,  the  subject  was  referred  to  the 
land  committee,  consisting  of  George  Dexter,  H.  R. 
Phelps  and  Wm.McElroy,  who  reported  :  That  in  1765, 
this  lot  was  conveyed  by  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  to  D. 
Bradt  and  others  for  the  purpose  of  a  burial  ground,  on 
condition  that  the  same  should  not  be  applied  to  any 
private  purpose  or  secular  use,  but  should  remain  as  a 
burial  ground  for  all  persons  in  the  manor  of  Rensselaer- 
wyck  ;  that  in  1808,  when  the  Colonie  was  annexed  to 
the  city  of  Albany,  this  lot  came  into  the  possession  of 
the  city  authorities.  Ever  since  the  original  grant  it  had 
been  used  as  a  burial  place  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
north  part  of  the  city,  but  had  now  fallen  into  a  ruinous 
condition,  and  comparatively  few  interments  were  made 
in  it.  By  reason  of  the  excavations  which  had  been  made 
around  it,  the  ground  was  much  higher  than  the  adjoin- 
ing streets  and  lots  ;  the  soil,  loose  and  sandy,  was 
easily  washed  away;  and  hence,  from  time  to  time,  the 


352  Notes  Jrom  the  Newspapers.  1844. 

coffins  and  bones  of  the  dead  were  exposed.  This  diffi- 
culty was  likely  to  become  more  serious,  since  the  ex- 
cavation of  the  adjoining  lot  would  have  a  perpendicular 
bank  15  or  20  feet  in  height,  which  would  be  continually 
giving  way,  and  the  coffins  and  their  contents  must  be 
precipitated  into  it.  In  other  respects,  the  ground  was 
in  a  deplorable  condition  ;  the  surface  was  broken  and 
rough,  and  presented  a  ruinous  aspect,  which  was  not 
only  painful  to  surviving  friends,  but  a  source  of  an- 
noyance to  a  neighborhood  daily  becoming  more  popu- 
lous. The  committee  proposed  to  remove  the  bodies  to 
the  projected  Rural  cemetery,  and  surrender  the  premises 
to  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer,  he  having  agreed  to  provide  a 
suitable  lot  for  the  purpose  of  reinterment. 

June  12.  Ten  clergymen  of  the  city  of  different  de- 
nominations signed  a  call  published  in  the  Argus  for  a 
hospital. 

June  15.  Philip  Keith  died,  aged  33. 

June  17.  John  Visscher  died,  aged  39. 

June  18.  Stephen  V.  R.  Humphrey  died,  aged  43. 

June  21.  William  Ellis  died. 

The  remains  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  which  had  been  de- 
posited in  the  cemetery  in  Swan  street,  were  removed  to 
New  York,  for  interment  under  a  monument  erected  by 
the  family. 

July  2.  Major  James  Gibbons  died,  aged  46. 

July  4.  At  the  general  celebration  the  oration  was  de- 
livered by  Charles  L.  Austin;  reading  the  Declaration  by 
A.  D.  Robinson.  Colonel  Samuel  Van  Vechten,  marshal. 

At  the  Young  Men's  celebration,  oration  by  L.  Sprague 
Parsons;  poem  by  H.  S.  McCall;  reading  Declaration 
by  M.  Wendell  L'Amoreux. 

At  the  Youth's  Temperance  Society  celebration,  ad- 
dresses were  delivered  by  Philip  Phelps,  Jr.,  president  of 
the  society,  by  M.  Wendell  L'Amoreux  and  J.  H.  Canoll; 
reading  Declaration  by  David  Wyckoff. 

July  8.  Westerlo  Van  RensseJaer  died. 

A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Capitol,  John  L. 
Schoolcraft  presiding,  which  passed  resolutions  on  the 
subject  of  the  repeal  movement  in  Ireland. 


1844.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  353 

July  12.  Cornelia  Pruyn  died,  a^ed  75. 

July  17.  Catharine  A.,  wife  of  Wilber  F.  Osborne,  died, 
aged  27. 

July  20.  Mrs.  Emeline  Blakeman,  daughter  of  Greene 
Hall,  died  in  Troy. 

July  28.  Elizabeth  Gibbons,  wife  of  Nicholas  Quack- 
enbush,  died. 

Thomas  New  died,  aged  70. 

July  29.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Third  Presbyterian 
church  at  Clinton  place,  was  laid  with  appropriate  cere- 
monies. 

July  30.  Sylvester  Wilcox'died  at  Palmyra,  aged  69. 

James  Gourley,  Jr.,  died  at  Galveston,  Texas,  aged  39. 

There  were  at  this  time  28  churches  in  the  city,  and 
four  more  in  the  process  of  erection,  namely,  a  Methodist 
church  in  Hudson  street,  a  Baptist  church  in  State  street, 
a  Presbyterian  church  in  Patroon  street,  and  a  French 
catholic  church. 

Aug.  6.  Cornelia,  widow  of  Hon.  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer,  died  in  New  York,  aged  64. 

Aurj.  13.  A  public  meeting  was  held  in  relation  to  the 
Colonie  burial  ground,  Hon.  Jacob  Lansing,  chairman. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  subject  of 
its  condition,  and  the  necessity  of  protecting  it  from  fur- 
ther dilapidation,  or  of  removing  the  remains  to  some 
other  place. 

Aug.  15.  Wm.  L.  Stone  died,  aged  52;  formerly  editor 
of  the  Albany  Daily  Advertiser. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Ettridge  died  at  White  Pigeon,  Michigan, 
aged  61. 

Aug.  17.  H.  G.  0.  Rogers  died  in  New  York,  aged  48. 

Au£.  22.  Eleanor,  wife  of  Col.  Samuel  Hawley,  died, 
aged  57. 

Aug.  26.  Augusta,  wife  of  Joshua  Brockway,  Jr.,  died. 

Sept.  6.     Jane  Betts  died,  aged  90. 

Sept.  10.  Peter  V.  Bradt  died,  aged  45. 

Sept.  1 1 .  Catharine  Amanda  Van  Heusen  died,  aged  22. 

Sept.  19.  Sophia,  wife  of  Josiah  Platt,  died. 

Sept.  28.  Eliza,  wife  of  Col.  Nicholas  Van  Rensselaer, 
died  at  Gif  enbush,  aged  85. 


354 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


1844. 


Sept.  30.  The  new  route  of  the  Mohawk  and. Hudson 
rail  road  having  been  completed,  the  trains  began  to  pass 
over  it  on  this  day.  The  inclined  planes  were  now  dis- 
pensed with,  and  the  locomotive  passed  down  the  Tivoli 
creek  and  into  the  heart  of  the  city,  to  the  Maiden  lane 
depot  and  the  Boston  ferry,  where  two  roads  met,  and 
the  great  mass  of  the  traveling  public  was  landed  on  the 
Maiden  lane  side  walk  from  east  and  west.  A  very  great 
change  immediately  came  over  this  terminus.  If  any 
one  had  been  curious  about  the  exact  number  of  carts, 
coaches,  cabs,  hacks  and  hand-carts  which  the  city  con- 
tained, he  could  have  taken  the  census  here  when  the 
cars  arrived.  Dean  street  was  also  metamorphosed. 
Nothing  like  the  change  now  going  on  had  been  witnessed 
in  that  out-of-the-way  place  since  Stewart  Dean  came 
home  from  China  in  his  little  Albany  craft,  when  the 
corporation,  in  a  paroxysm  of  public  spirit,  as  the  cheap- 
est way  of  doing  honor  to  the  renowned  skipper,  changed 
its  ugly  name  of  Dock  street  to  Dean  street.  It  had  out- 
lived its  worst  days,  and  its  destiny  henceforward  was 
onward  and  upward.  Stanwix  Hall,  too,  was  no  longer 


Stanwix  Hall. 

a  doubtful  experiment  of  desolate  granite,  splendid  as  a 
building,  and  melancholy  as  an  investment;  but  a  bril- 


1844.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers."*  355 

liant  and  thronged  hotel;  its  windows  glittering  with 
light,  its  gay  concert  room  alive  with  the  beauty  and 
fashion  of  the  town,  its  rooms  and  its  saloons  rife  with 
the  stir  of  busy  merchants  and  planningpoliticians.  Old 
Fort  Stanwix  had  a  lively  child  in  this,  its  namesake; 
and  its  enterprising  proprietor  who  had  brave  and  hon- 
orable memorial  associated  with  the  name,  saw  brighter 
days  smile  at  last  on  his  spirit.  Even  the  ice,  which 
kept  undisputed  sway  of  Maiden  lane  for  half  the  year, 
the  sun  having  very  little  personal  acquaintance  with  its 
pavement,  now  disappears  before  the  first  ^>f  July,  and 
horses  look  less  despairingly  at  its  heavy  ascent. 

Sept.  30.  Susan,  wife  of  Wm.  Mascord,  died,  aged  50. 
Juliaette,  widow  of  L.  G.  Renauddied,  aged  31. 
John  Brower  died,  aged  85. 

Oct.  1.     Charles  H.  Boardman  died,  aged  35. 

William  Durant,  an  eminent  merchant,  died, 
aged  69. 

Oct.  3.  Jane,  widow  of  Nathaniel  S.  Skinner,  died, 
aged  72. 

Oct.  7.  The  Albany  Rural  Cemetery  was  consecrated. 
The  military  and  firemen  joined  with  the  citizens  in  an 
imposing  procession,  and  the  services  were  held  on  the 
grounds.  An  address  was  delivered  by  Hon.  D.  D.  Bar- 
nard, and  the  clergy  performed  the  customary  exercises, 
which  were  published  at  length  in  the  newspapers. 

James  Fitzpatrick  died,  aged  22. 

Oct.  13.   Wm.  C.  Covert  died,  aged  23. 

Amanda,  wife  of  Wm.  Thorn,  died,  aged  31. 

Oct.  16.  Addison  F.  Guernsey  died,  aged  36. 
George  W.  Was^ort  died,  aged  24. 

Oct.  17.  Eliza  C.  wife  of  John  M.  Newton  died,  aged  36. 

Oct.  34.  John  McCulloch  died,  aged  26. 
David  Strain 'died,  aged  21. 

Oct.  31.  Cyrrel  Gillett  died,  aged  52;  keeper  of  the 
Washington  Hall. 

Nov.  1.  Isabella,  wife  of  Walter  S.  McCulloch,  died, 
aged  33. 

Nov.  3.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  P.  Gould,  died, 
aged  54. 


356  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1844. 

Nov.  5.  Election.  Henry  G.  Wheaton  was  elected  to 
congress,  and  Ira  Harris  to  the  assembly.  There  was  a 
whig  majority  in  the  county  for  Henry  Clay.  The  aggre- 
gate vote  of  the  county  was  very  materially  increased  since 
the  last  gubernatorial  election  in  1842.  At  the  presiden- 
tial election  in  1840,  the  county  gave  for  Harrison,  6,372, 
for  Van  Buren,  5,944,  and  45  for  the  anti-slavery  candid- 
ate; total,  12,361.  In  1842,  the  vote  of  the  county  for 
governor  stood,  for  Bouck,  6,076,  for  Bradish,  6,272. 
anti  slavery,  87;  total,  12,435.  The  presidential  vote 
for  the  present  year  was,  for  Clay  7, 109,  for  Polk,  6,907, 
anti-slavery  about  100;  total  14,116. 

Nov.  8.  Julia  Ann,  widow  of  Hugh  Frazer,  died, 
aged  37. 

Nov.  10.  John  Thomson,  a  noted  botanic  physician, 
and  son  of  the  founder  of  that  system  of  practice,  died  in 
New  York,  aged  43. 

Nov.  11.  Levinus  G.  Winne  died,  aged  24. 

Nov.  12.  The  projectors  of  the  Gas  light  company 
having  obtained  a  charter  some  years  before  this,  but 
failing  to  get  the  stock  subscribed,  now  made  anew  effort 
with  entire  success. 

Nov.  18.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Van  Buren,  died. 
Peter  Joraleman  died,  aged  56. 

Nov.  25.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  Alder- 
man Dexter  proposed  to  raise  the  salary  of  the  deputy 
chamberlain  to  $900;  the  city  superintendents  to  $600 
each,  and  the  marshal  to  $600.  Mr.  Van  Ness  thought 
it  singular  that  salaries  should  be  raised  at  a  time  when 
produce  was  so  low.  Mr.  McMullen  remarked  that  but- 
ter was  15  cents  a  pound,  and  that  was  not  low! 

Nov.  28.  Josephine  L.,  wife  of  H.  A.  Hopkins,  died, 
aged  25. 

Nov.  29.  Charles  E.  Whitney  died,  aged  24. 

Nov.  30.  Jane  Ann,  wife  of  Gerret  W.  Bell,  died,  aged 
26. 

The  following  report  of  the  commerce  of  Albany  was 
made  by  the  harbormaster  for  the  present  year: 


1844.  Notes  from  ths  Newspapers.  357 

47  steam  boats, 14,539  tons. 

245  schooners, 17,431 

65  tow  boats 10,256 

411  sloops, 22,905 

7  scows, 386 

The  tonnage  for  seven  years  was  as  follows: 

1833 36,721  1842, 49,356 

1839 40,3(59  1843, 55,354 

1840, 39,416  1844, 65,507 

1841, 50,797 

Dec.  1.  Eleanor,  wife  of  Adam  Shields,  Jr.,  died. 

Elizabeth  Gilles^ie  died,  aged  54. 
Dec.  5.  Susan,  wife  of  Samuel  W.  King,  died,  aged  24. 
Henry   Trowbridge,    founder   of  the   Albany 

Museum,  died,  aged  69. 

Dec.  6.  Christian  Miller  died,  aged  78.  He  was  born 
in  Hanau,  Germany,  March  7,  1767,  and  coming  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  14  years,  became  a  clerk  to  Mr. 
Thomas,  an  extensive  grocer  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  he  was  21  years  of  age, 
His  deportment  during  this  time  secured  to  him  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  others,  who  were  anxious  to  secure 
his  services.  Through  the  solicitations  of  John  Tayler, 
an  Albany  merchant,  he  was  induced  to  come  to  this  city 
in  1789.  He  continued  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Tayler  as 
chief  clerk  until  1792,  when  he  opened  a  store  on  his  own 
behalf,  and  continued  actively  and  prosperously  engaged 
until  1825,  when  he  retired  from  business.  He  was  some 
time  agent  for  John  Jacob  Astor  in  the  fur  business.  On 
the  30th  April,  1789.  he  was  on  duty  as  an  artillerist  at 
the  inauguration  of  Washington.  For  very  many  of  the 
last  years  of  his  life  he  discharged  with  usefulness  and 
ability,  the  duties  of  several  offices,  both  civil  and  ecclesi- 
astical. He  was  long  an  officer  of  the  Second  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  church,  and  noted  for  his  charities.  A 
tablet  to  his  memory  has  been  placed  in  that  church. 
Dec.  7.  N.  B.  Bassett  died  at  Schenectady,  aged  74, 
Dec.  8.  John  Meacham  died,  aged  59. 
Dec.  11.  James  Hunter  died,  aged  21. 
[Annals,  x.]  31 


358  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1844. 

Dec.  13.  Catharine  Ann,  wife  of  Thatcher  Pool,  died, 
aged  37. 

Dec.  17.  The  river  closed. 

Dec.  18.  The  State  Normal  School  was  opened  in  the 
building  now  known  as  Van  Vechten  Hall,  which  was 
leased  by  the  city  authorities  of  the  Mohawk  &  Hudson 
rail  road  company  at  an  annual  expense  of  about  $1200. 

Dec.  19.  The  supervisors  in  conjunction  with  the 
mayor  and  recorder,  directed  a  proper  site  to  be  pro- 
cured upon  which  to  erect  a  penitentiary. 

Dec.  25.  Jane,  widow  of  Adam  Todd,  died,  aged  82. 

The  First  Methodist  society  dedicated  their  new  church 
edifice  in  Hudson  street,  near  Philip,  the  Rev.  John  N. 
Maffit  officiating. 

The  Burgesses  Corps  went  down  to  Hudson  at  the  re- 
quisition of  the  sheriff,  to  assist  in  protecting  the  jail 
against  a  threatened  invasion  by  the  Antirenters.  The 
Emmet  Guards  went  down  also  a  few  days  after. 

Dec.  28.  Mrs.  Hannah  Rodgers  died,  aged  41. 

Dec.  31.  The  Governor  ordered  out  the  Artillery,  the 
Van  Rensselaer  Guards  and  the  Washington  Riflemen,  to 
assist  in  quelling  the  disturbances  in  Hudson.  The  five 
Albany  companies  on  duty  numbered  250  rank  and  file. 

During  the  past  year  there  had  been  29  fires  and  9 
alarms.  Loss  of  property  valued  at  $17,278;  insured, 
$12,705. 

1845. 

Jan.  1.  The  Townsend  House,  which  had  been  erected 
on  the  site  of  the  old  Montgomery  Hall,  was  opened  as  a 
hotel. 

Jan.  5.  Mrs.  Betsey  Wood,  daughter  of  the  late  Ste- 
phen W.  Johnson,  died,  aged  58. 

Jan.  6.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  on  motion 
of  Alderman  Worthington,  the  hour  for  ringing  the  morn- 
ing bell  was  changed  from  8  o'clock  to  sunrise,  to  com- 
mence on  tip  1st  February.  The  time  was  afterwards 
changed  to  7  o'clock.  It  was  also  ordered  that  the  Fourth 
Presbyterian  bell  should  be  rung. 


1845.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  359 

Jan.  7.  David  V.  P.  Colvin  died,  aged  45. 

Jan.  13.  James  Leddy  died,  aged  53. 

Jan.  14.  James  Wilson  died,  late  of  Glasgow,  aged  42. 
John  S.  Beeckman  died  at  Greenbush. 

Jan.  15.  Joseph  W.  Lloyd  died,  aged  39. 

Lucy  Ann,  wife  of  James  C.  Crocker,  died, 
aged  25. 

Jan.  18.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Capt.  Thomas  Hallett, 
died,  aged  43, 

Jan.  20.  Lydia,  wife  of  F.  G.  Oliver,  died,  aged  25. 

Jan.  22.  Isaac  L.  K.  Miller  died,  aged  23. 
Mrs.  Nancy  Paul  died,  aged  103. 

Jan.  23.  A  defalcation  of  $40,000  discovered  in  the 
account  of  Alex.  H.  Lovett,  teller  of  the  Commercial 
Bank. 

Jan.  30.  Mrs.  Walter  Whitney  died,  aged  85. 

Feb.  3.     John  Ramsey  died,  aged  80. 

Feb.  5.  Mrs,  Catharine  Burton  died  at  Blandford, 
Mass.,  aged  70. 

Feb.  10.  John  Outwin  died,  aged  55. 

Feb.  13.  Maria  Catharine,  wife  of  Wm.  Egglestone, 
died,  aged  37. 

Feb.  15.  Henry,  son  of  L.  K.  Norton,  died,  aged  26. 

Feb.  16.  Samuel  Carey  died,  aged  79. 

Elizabeth  Harris  died,  aged  24. 

Feb.  17.  Mrs.  Anna  Walker  died,  aged  57. 

Feb.  18.  Lydia,  wife  of  William  Bishop,  died. 

Feb.  19.  Julia,  wife  of  S.  V.  R.  Watson,  died,  aged  23. 

Feb.  20.  Mrs.  Eliza  E.  Smith  died,  aged  26. 

Feb.  24.  River  open;  steam  boat  Norwich  arrived.  It 
was  again  temporarily  obstructed. 

Feb.  25.  Rebeckah,  widow  of  Samuel  Payn,  died,  aged 
70. 

Feb.  26.  Ten  Eyck  Quackenbush  died,  aged  26. 

Feb.  27*  Sarah,  wife  of  George  Crawford,  died,  aged  45, 

Feb.  28.  A  fire  destroyed  the  African  Methodist  church, 
a  wocden  edifice  in  rear  of  District  school  No.  2,  on  State 
street. 

March  2.  Mary  H.  Moor  died,  aged  77. 


360  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1845. 

March  7.  Mary  M.,  widow  of  Myndert  Lansing,  died, 
aged  78. 

March  10.  Tabitha  wife  of  Lemuel  Steele  died  at  Utica. 
Leverett  C.  Dyer  died. 
Henry  Y.  Webb  died,  aged  88. 
Sarah,  widow  of  Wm.  Bates,  died,  aged  84. 

March  13.  Enoch  McCammon  died,  aged  70.  He  was 
reared  in  the  iron  region  of  New  Jersey,  and  in  1807  was 
induced  to  take  charge  of  what  is  now  Tovvnsend's  Fur- 
nace, believed  to  be  the  oldest  north  of  the  Highlands, 
and  established  by  men  reared  in  an  iron  district,  like 
himself.  The  connection  continued  uninterrupted  for  a 
single  hour  during  nearly  forty  years;  maintained  by 
rare  skill,  untiring  diligence  and  the  most  scrupulous  in- 
tegrity on  the  one  side,  and  by  warm  respect  and  confi- 
dence without  limit  on  the  other. 

March  14.  Jane,  wife  of  Evert  Wynkoop,  died. 

Elizabeth,   wife   of  John   Hermans,  died, 
aged  58. 

March  20.  Samuel  Swazey  died,  aged  67. 

March  22.  John  O'Neil  died,  aged  53. 

March  25.  Donald  McDonald  died. 

The  corporation,  having  obtained  possession  of  the 
Arbor  hill  burial  ground,  resolved  to  convey  it  to  Mr. 
Van  Rensselaer.  It  appears  that  two  lots,  Nos.  35  and 
36,  north  of  the  city  of  Albany,  were  conveyed  by  Ste- 
phen Van  Rensselaer,  31st  Oct.  1764,  in  consideration  of 
£2,  to  Dirck  Bradt  and  eleven  other  individuals,  pro- 
vided they  did  not  apply  the  same  to  private  or  secular 
use,  but  the  same  to  remain  and  be  used  for  a  cemetery 
or  church  yard,  "  to  bury  dead  corpses  of  all  persons 
whatsoever  that  now  dwell  in  or  may  hereafter  inhabit 
the  manor  of  Rensselaervryck,  or  any  part  thereof." 
(Deed  Book  G,  p.  587.)  This  was  not  in  the  city,  but 
what  was  afterwards  Water vliet.  In  1801,  Colonie,  a 
part  of  Watervliet,  was  erected  into  a  separate  district, 
with  five  trustees.  In  1808,  the  town  of  Colonie  was 
erected  from  the  town  of  Watervliet.  In  1815,  that  part 
of  the  town  of  Colonie  in  which  the  burying  ground  was 


1845.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  361 

situated,  was  annexed  to  the  city  of  Albany,  and  the 
other  part  to  the  town  of  Watervliet.  In  1842,  Sept.  27, 
the  cemetery  was  sold  by  the  corporation  for  assess- 
ments. 

April  5.  Obed  M.  Coleman,  inventor  of  the  ^Eolian 
attachment  to  the  piano,  and  the  automaton  accordion 
player,  died  at  Saratoga,  aged  28. 

April  6.  Rebecca,  wife  of  William  B.  Winne,  died, 
aged  66. 

The  steam  boat   Swallow  was  wrecked  near  Athens, 
and  several  lives  were  losl^  among  whom  were  the  follow- 
ing belonging  to  this  city: 
William  Davis,  aged  23. 
Anna  Wood,  aged  30. 
Lucinda  Wood,  aged  28. 

This  was  felt  to  be  one  of  the  most  appalling  disasters 
that  ever  happened  on  the  river,  the  particulars  of  which 
were  fully  given  in  the  papers  of  the  day,  and  also  a  dia- 
gram  showing   the  position  of  the  wreck;  by   which  it 
would   seem,    looking  at  it  from   this   distance  of  time, 
that  it  could  only  have  been  the  result  of  design. 
April  7..  Charles  S.  Raymond  died,  aged  40. 
April  Charter  election;  the  democrats  elected  a  mayor 
and  a  majority  of  aldermen. 

John  K.  Paige,  democrat,  for  mayor, 3148 

Friend  Humphrey,  whig, 3124 

Jacob  Lansing,  native  American, 160 

Nathaniel  SafFord,  abolition, 12 

WHIG.  Aldermen.  DEMOCRAT. 

1st   Ward.— William  Mink, l,r>7  Pa'rick  B.  Rooney,    .   296 

Samuel  Watson, 138  Homer  R.  Pheh  s. . 

2d   Ward.—  Wm.  H.  Hill, 220  Bei.j.  Thomas, ... 

Elijah  Col)b, 221  Samuel  Westcott, 


3d  Ward.—G    V.  S.  Bleecker,. 

H.  B  Haswell,... 
4th  Ward. — James  Goold, 

John  D.  Hewson,. 

Thos.  Kirkpatrick, 
5th  Ward.—  Jacob  H.  T'n  Lyck 

Robert  H.  Piuyn,. 
Cth  Ward. — J.  A.  Livingston,. 

Robert  McColiom, 


477  John  E.  Hermans, . 

4-59  John  M.  Hu»hes,  . 

425  John  W.  Harcourt, 

473  Legrand  Smilh,... 

83 

292  Edward  Artcher,.. 

282  Hiram  Bromley,... 

296  D.  V.  N.  RadclifF, 

296  C.   Van  Benthysen,.   310 


323 
347 
342 
424 
4,00 
345 
307 

223 

220 
210 


362 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


1845. 


WHIG.  Aldermen. 

1th   Ward.—  John  W.  Cluett..        .    142 


W.  Frothingharri, 
8th  Ward.—  Wm.  B.  Scott,  .  . 

Giles  K.  Winne,. 
9th  Ward.—  George  Traver,  .  . 

Thomas  Coulson, 
IQth  Ward,  -Michael  Artcher, 

Philander  Coley, 

In  the  7th  ward  there 


134 
246 
235 
459 
467 
306 
285 


DEMOCRAT. 

Timothy  Spears, 308 

S.  V.  R.  Ableman,..  317 

John  McKnight, 329 

David  D.  Ramsey,  ..  335 

Eli  Perry, 469 

Watts  Sherman,  ....  416 

James  Rose, 2S2 

Robert  D.  Watson,..  280 

American 


was  a  Native  American  ticket 
for  all  the  offices,  numbering  about  67  votes. 

April  8.  Ann  Dunkin,  wife  of  John  S.  Van  Rensselaer, 
died. 

April  9.  A  weekly  Antirent  paper  was  begun  by 
Thomas  A.  Devyr,  called  The  Albany  Freeholder. 

April  10.  Catalina  Visscher,  widow  of  Isaac  H.  Bo- 
gart,  died,  aged  76. 

Eliza,  wife  of  P.  J.  Arnott,  died,  aged  37. 
April  14.  The  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  begun  in  1815, 
and  the  Albany  Gazette,  begun  in   1784,  and  the  oldest 
newspaper  in  the  state  of  New  York,  were  discontinued. 
April  13.  Sarah,    wife  of  Abraham  Vosburgh,    died, 
aged  84. 

Henry  H.  Bailey  died,  aged  35. 

April  15.  The  new  board  of  common  council  met  and 
elected  its  officers. 

S.  H.  H.  Parsons,  clerk. 
H.  H.  Hickcox,  deputy  chamberlain. 
Lewis  Benedict,  Jr.,  attorney. 
April  16.  Jacob  Hochstrasser  died. 

John  Gilligan  died,  aged  36. 
April  21.  Mrs.  Mary  McGourkey  died,  aged  77. 
April  24.  Abigail,  wife  of  Asaph  Beebe,  died,  aged  40. 
April  27.  Daniel  Hawe  died,  aged  22. 
April  29.  Sarah  A.  wife  of  E.  P.  Freeman,   died,  aged 
33. 

Caroline  M.,   wife   of  Christopher  Y.  Lan- 
sing, died. 

Expenses  of  the  almshousefor  the  past  quarter,  $2,754. 
Expended  in  the  year  ending  April  1844,  for  out-door 
relief,  $4,365.02;  do  1845,  $2,015.79. 


1845.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  363 

May  6.     Timothy  Fassett  died,  aged  64. 

Margaret  E.,  wife  of  Benjamin  Havens,  died, 
aged  28. 

May  9.     Silas  F.  Hedges  died,  aged  28. 

May  12.  Judge  Sutherland  died  in  this  city,  on  his  way 
to  Geneva. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Main  died,  aged  84. 

May  13.  Jared  L.  Rathbone,  of  the  firm  of  Rathbone 
&  Chapin,  died.  He  was  a  native  of  Salem,  Ct.,  and 
came  to  this  city  in  1812.  He  was  an  enterprising  mer- 
chant; had  been  a  member  of  the  common  council,  and 
mayor  of  the  city. 

May  14.  Ann,  widow  of  David  Williams,  died,  aged  80.. 

May  17.  Louisa,  wife  of  Ira  Harris,  died,  aged  35. 

May  21.  Ann  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Hartness,  died, 
aged  36. 

May  22.  Isaac  S.  Ward  died,  aged  25. 

May  25.  Mrs.  Margaret  Grant  died,  aged  83. 

May  29.  Margaret  Thompson  died. 

June  1.  Rev.  Dr.  Potter  took  leave  of  his  congregation 
at  St.  Peter's  church,  with  the  purpose  of  visiting  Europe. 

June  5.  Elsie,  wife  of  Abram  Rosekrans,  died,  aged  63. 

June  7.  John  Brinckerhoflf  died,  aged  32. 
Samuel  Swan  died,  aged  52. 

June  9.  A  new  bell  weighing  2800  pounds  was  put  into 
the  tower  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church. 

June  9.     John  Hill  died,  aged  47. 

June  10.  Oliver  C.  Gracie  died,  aged  56. 

June  16.  John  Alden  died,  aged  36. 

Annette  Hall  died,  aged  97. 

June  15.  An  effort  was  made  in  the  common  council 
to  restore  the  water  pumps  in  State  street,  which  had 
been  recently  removed. 

June  18.  Killian  K.  Van  Rensselaer  died,  aged  82. 
He  was  the  son  of  Killian  Van  Rensselaer  of  Greenbush; 
was  born  in  1763,  and  educated  for  the  legal  profession, 
in  which  he  for  many  years  held  a  high  rank  in  this  city. 
He  served  for  several  years  in  the  common  council,  and 
was  a  representative  iu  congress  five  terms,  from  1801  to 


364  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1845. 

3811.     He  was  also  a  member  of  the  consistory  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  church. 

June  19.  Margaret  Jones  died,  aged  52. 

June  30.  The  funeral  obsequies  of  Gen.  Jackson  were 
performed  by  the  civic  societies  and  military  companies. 
Great  preparations  were  made  on  the  occasion,  but  a 
drenching  rain  fell  during  the  whole  time  of  the  proces- 
sion. 

July  4.  At  the  general  celebration,  Isaac  Vanderpoel 
delivered  the  oration,  and  R.  S.  Cushman  read  the  De- 
claration. Before  the  Young  Men's  Association,  Samuel 
Wilkeson,  Jr.,  delivered  the  oration,  and  H.  Terrell  read 
the  Declaration.  Before  the  Temperance  societies,  ora- 
tions by  Samuel  G.  Courtney  and  John  H.  Canoll;  read- 
ing Declaration  by  Jacob  C.  Cuyler. 

July  7.  The  mortality  of  the  last  month  to  this  date 
was  64;  males  37,  females  27;  under  5  years  of  age  38; 
between  5  and  10,  4;  between  10  and  20,  2;  between  20 
and  30,  4;  between  30  and  50,  10;  between  50  and  70,  5; 
one  80;  one  82;  one  97;  unknown  4. 

July  9.     Joseph  Henry  died,  aged  23. 

July  13.  John  Parker  died,  aged  62. 

"William  Harrison  Stewart,  formerly  a  music 
teacher  in  Albany,  died  in  New  York. 

July  14.  Mary  Helmes  died,  aged  87. 

There  were  11  fire  engines  (2  without  companies),  2 
hook  and  ladder  companies,  1  hose  and  1  axe  company. 
During  the  last  six  months  there  had  been  23  fires  and 
12  alarms;  amount  of  property  destroyed  $36,152,  on 
which  was  insured  $28,609. 

July  16.  The  steam  boat  Rip  Van  Winkle  made  her 
first  appearance,  Capt.  L.  D.  Abell.  She  was  220  feet 
in  length,  26  feet  beam,  and  drew  3  ft.  10  in.  water;  was 
propelled  by  LighthaH's  horizontal  and  half  beam  engine, 
having  a  44  inch  cylinder,  and  a  10  foot  stroke. 

July  17.  Margaret  wife  of  Robert  Van  Rensselaer  died. 

July  21.  William  Voorhees  died,  aged  54. 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Patterson,  died,  aged  66. 

July  22.  John  Allen  died,  aged  49. 


1845.  Notts  from  the  Newspapers.  365 

July  30.  Catharine,  wife  of  W.  W.  Van  Zandt,  died, 
aged  34. 

Alice  J.,  wife  of  Alex.  Sheldon,  died  at  Florida,  Mont- 
gomery county. 

Aug.  13.  Frederick  W.  Cole  died,  aged  30. 

Aug.  15.  Obadiah  R.  Van  Benthuysen  died,  aged  59. 
Mr.  Van  Benthuysen  was  bred  a  bookbinder,  but  having 
associated  himself  with  Mr.  Robert  Packard  in  1813,  be- 
came one  of  the  best  practical  printers  in  the  state.  His 
highly  inventive  mind  enabled  him  not  only  to  avail 
himself  of  every  improvement,  but  to  advance  and  ele- 
vate his  favorite  art.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  apply 
in  this  country,  through  his  own  ingenuity  and  capital, 
the  steam  engine  to  printing  presses.  He  was  also  the 
first  to  apply  steam  power  to  the  casting  of  types.  From 
1824  to  1839  he  was  an  associate  proprietor  with  Edwin 
Croswell,  of  the  Albany  Argus;  and  it  was  under  his 
immediate  supervision,  during  all  that  time,  that  the 
state  printing  was  executed. 

Aug.  18.  Rufus  Putnam  died,  aged  52. 

Aug.  19.  Thomas  Jenkinson  died,  aged  24. 

Aug.  27.  James  T.  Clark  died,  aged  23. 

Sept.  1.  Augustus  Graham  died,  aged  43. 

Sept.  4.  Lansing  V.  De  Freest  died,  aged  24. 
Owen  J.  Egbert  died,  aged  44. 

Sept.  6.  Mrs.  Phoebe  McKelvey  died,  aged  78. 
Thomas  Patterson  died,  aged  23. 

Sept.  8.  Catharine  C.,  wife  of  Charles  B.  Lansing,  died. 
Samuel  Graham  died,  aged  41. 
John  R.  Richardson  died,  aged  47. 

The  common  council  directed  the  police  office  to  be 
removed  from  the  basement  of  the  City  Hall  to  the  Centre 
Market. 

Sept.   10.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  David  Holt,  died,  aged  C5. 

The  census  showed  the  following  comparative  gain  of 
population  in  Albany  and  Troy  during  the  last  fifteen 
years:  ALBANY.  TROY. 

1835,....    28,109  1835, 16.959 

1840, 33,663  1840,....    19,373 

1845, 41,152  1845, 21,681 


366  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1845. 

Sept.  12.  Thomas  V.  Z.  Merrifield  died,  aged  28. 

Ellen,  wife  of  Matthew  Owens,  died,  aged  76. 

Sept.  13.  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Hughes,  died,  aged  29. 

Sept.  14.  Sarah  M.,  wife  of  Wm.  H.  Pollard,  died, 
aged  29. 

Sept,  15.  Capt.  James  Benson  died  in  New  York,  aged 
45.  From  1827  to  1839  he  commanded  the  steam  boats 
Saratoga,  North  America  and  Erie. 
'  Sept.  21.  The  steam  boat  Oregon,  a  marvel  of  a  boat, 
made  her  first  appearance  at  the  landing,  and  attracted  a 
crowd  of  visitors. 

Sept.  26.  Alexander  Cummings  died,  aged  41. 

Sept.  27.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McBurney  died,  aged  77. 

Oct.  1.  Ellen,  wife  of  John  Glen,  died,  aged  72. 

Oct.  2.  James  Waddell  died,  aged  82. 

Oct.  3.  Capt.  Eliakim  Ford  died,  aged  60. 

Margaret,  widow  of  Wm.  Brower,  died,  aged  78. 

Oct.  4.  Mrs.  Hannah  Creer,  died,  aged  56. 

Oct.  5.  Mrs.  Nancy  Gould  died,  aged  84. 

Oct.  6.  Samuel  Van  Vechten  died,  aged  29. 
John  H.  Wightman  died,  aged  40. 

Oct.  7.  Interments  for  the  month,  ending  this  day,  72; 
males  40,  females  32. 

Oct.  9.  The  Hendrik  Hudson  made  her  first  appear- 
ance at  the  landing  of  the  People's  line,  a  perfect  wonder 
of  steam  boat  architecture  to  all  beholders,  of  1170  tons 
burden. 

Oct.  13.  Eliza,  wife  of  George  Morse,  died,  aged  39. 
Harriet  M.  wife  of  Nicholas  Pike  died,  aged  20. 

Oct.  17.  Amelia,  wife  of  George  Pike,  died,  aged  48. 

Oct.  29.  Matthew  M.  Van  Alstyne  died,  aged  37. 

Nov.  2.  Angus  McDuffie  died,  aged  54:  formerly  sheriff 
of  the  county. 

Nov.  3.  Mrs.  Dorothy  Brown  died,  aged  83. 
Mrs.  Mary  D.  Shiffer  died,  aged  70.. 

Nov.  4.  Election;  Ira  Harris  received  6,296  votes  for 
assembly,  and  was  elected. 

Nov.  5.  Gertrude,  wife  of  Jas.  Loatwall,  died,  aged  30. 
Mendwell,  wife  of  Wm.  Stead,  died,  aged  68.. 


1845.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  367 

Nov.  8.  Mrs.  Mary  Milton  died,  aged  86. 

Mrs.  Lydia  Ann  Pike  died,  aged  43. 
Nov.  10.  The  first  experiment  of  the  gas  works  was 
made  by  lighting  some  of  the  most   public  streets,   as  a 
preparatory  trial  of  the  pipes. 

Nov.  9.  During  a  severe  blow,  the  walls  of  the  Peni- 
tentiary, which  were  ready  to  receive  the  roof,  were 
blown  down. 

Nov.  11.  Philo  K.  Cole  died,  aged  39. 
Nov.  29.   Canal  closed,  having  been  open  225  days. 
Nov.  13.  William  Clark  engaged  in  drawing  clay  was 
drowned  with  his  span  6f  horses  in  the  Hudson  street 
pond;  driver,  horses  and  wagon  were  engulphed  and  en- 
tirely disappeared  in  that  abyss. 

Nov.  23.  Anna,  widow  of  Henry  Truax,  died,  aged  77. 
Nov.  27.  Catharine  Linacre  died,  aged  50. 
Nov.  28.  Mary,  wife  of  John  Freeman,  died  at  Roches- 
ter, aged  18. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  Lyman  Root,  died. 
Nov.  30.  Anna  L.,  wife  of  Dr.  James  H.  Armsby,  and 
daughter  of  Hon.  Gideon  Hawley,  died,  aged  25. 
Mrs.  Rachel  Judd  died,  aged  78. 
Henry  W.  Mayer  died,  aged  23. 
William  Salisbury  died,  aged  37. 
Dec.  1.  Julius  A.  Varney  died,  aged  24. 
The  following  sums  were  directed  to  be  raised  by  tax: 

For  city  watch  and  lamps, $23,000 

contingencies 20,000 

intertst  on  city  debt, 10,000 

account  of  city  debt  and  interest  under 

actof  1844, 25.000 

loan  for  erecting  school  houses, 2,950 

common  schools 7,635^.70 

temporary  relief  of  poor, 7,000 

$95,585.70 
Dec.  2.  Elijah  Tripp  died,  aged  44. 

Alexander  H.  Lovett  died  in  China. 
Dec.  3.  The  Third  Presbyterian  church  was  dedicated. 


368  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1845. 

Dec.  3.  Mary  P.  Falconer  died,  aged  21. 
The  river  closed. 

Dec.  5.  Mrs.  Janet  McPherson  died,  aged  85. 

Dec.  9.  Cornelius  Egberts  died,  aged  48. 

Dec.  10.  Arthur  C.  Southvvick  died. 

Dec.  15.  Francis  Dvvight,  editor  of  the  District  School 
Journal,  died. 

Dec.  27.  Sally  M.,  wife  of  Ralph  S  Lewis,  died,  aged  29. 

Dec.  29.  Mary  Ann,  widow  of  Richard  Walker,  died, 
aged  49. 

1846. 

Jan.  2.  Isabella,  wife  of  Job  Bendall,  died,  aged  42. 

Jan.  6.  Abram  Franks  died,  aged  40. 

Jan  15.  George  A.  Hoyt  died,  aged  52. 

Mary,  widow  of  Daniel  Pohlman  died,  aged  74. 

Jan.  12.  The  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department  re- 
ported that  there  were  11  engine  companies,  2  hook  and 
ladder  companies,  1  hose  company,  and  1  axe  company. 
In  the  year  1845,  there  were  42  fires  and  21  alarms;  Joss 
of  property  $57,232,  on  which  there  was  insured  $43, 252. 
This  was  about  double  the  number  of  fires  and  loss  of 
any  year  since  1839. 

Jan.  14.  Abraham  Rosekranse  died  at  Mobile,  aged  27. 

Jan.  20.  Thomas  Russell  died,  aged  73;  of  the  late 
firm  of  Thomas  &  Joseph  Russell,  who  came  to  this  city 
about  1805,  from  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  and  established 
themselves  as  painters  and  glaziers.  Soon  after  con- 
necting a  paint  and  drug  store  with  the  mechanical  busi- 
ness, they  were  extensively  known  for  more  than  thirty 
years  as  an  industrious  and  thrifty  firm,  and  accumulated 
handsome  fortunes. 

Jan.  20.  William  Gould,  law  bookseller,  died,  aged  72. 
He  came  to  this  city  in  1809,  from  New  Jersey,  and  es- 
tablished a  large  and  prosperous  business,  in  which  he 
became  wealthy.  He  was  the  senior  partner,  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  of  the  house  of  Gould,  Banks  &  Gould. 

Jan.  22.  Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Williams  died,  aged  48. 

Jan.  26.  Jane  Ann,  wife  of  George  T.  Carter,  died, 
aged  35. 


1846.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  369 

Jan.  29.  Ann,  widow  of  John  W.  Yates,  died. 
•Tan.  30.  Eliza  Austin  died,  aged  38. 

Mrs.  Jane  A.  Tryon  died,  aged  35. 
Jan.  31.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lyons  died. 
Feb.  2.  Thomas  Lawrence  died,  aged  40. 
Feb.  4.  Mary,  wife  of  John  Buckbee,  died. 
Feb.  5.  Stephen  P.  Schuyler  died,  aged  66. 
Feb.  8.  Philip  Burnop  died,  aged  76. 

Isaac  Sitterly  died,  aged  91. 
Feb.  10.  John  White  died,  aged  57. 
Feb.  11.  Casparus  F.  Pruyn  died,  aged  54. 

Gideon  Demirtg  died,  aged  90. 
Feb.  13.  Isaac  Packard  died,  aged  76. 
Feb.  14.  \Vm.  Spencer  died,  aged  39. 
Feb.  15.  Mrs.  Clarissa  Capron  died,  aged  54. 
Feb.  19.  Capt.  Samuel  Parks  died,  aged  42. 

Julia  Griffin  died,  aged  25. 

Charles  P.  Chapman  died. 
Feb.  26.  Patrick  Gayner  died,  aged  27. 

Mrs.  Agnes  Edgar  died,  aged  62. 
March  2.  Mary  wife  of  Barnard  McManus  died,  aged  35. 

Lucy  Brown  died,  aged  78. 
March  3.  Daniel  Delahanty  died,  aged  73. 

George  Guardenier  died,  aged  46. 
March  4.  John  Campbell  died,  aged  32. 
March  16.  Almira,    wife   of  Humphrey  Clark,   died, 
aged  34. 

The  river  opened  as  far  down  as  Hudson,  but  was  ob. 
structed  between  that  city  and  Catskill,  preventing  com- 
munication with  New  York  by  water. 
March  17.  Steam  boat  Columbia  arrived. 
March  18.  Catharine,  daughter  of  Philip  Phelps,  died, 
aged  27. 

The  steam  boat  St.  Nicholas  came  on  about  this  time. 
March  25.  Moritz  Wollensack  died,  aged  68. 

Mary  wife  of  Edward  Truax  died,  aged  22. 
March  28.  Thomas  W.  Ford  died,  aged  76. 
March  29.  George  G.  Olmsted  died,  aged  52. 
March  31.  Mary,  wife  of  James  Morrell,  died,  aged  48. 
[Annals,  x.]  32 


370  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1846. 

April.     The  steam  propeller  Mohawk  arrrved  at  this 
city  from  Hartford  in  36  hours;  performing  the  quietest 
trip  that  had  been  made  by  water  between  the  two  cities. 
April  2.  Jacob  Angus  died,  aged  29. 
Job  Gould  died,  aged  80. 
Jane  Ann,  wife  of  William  Ellis,  died. 
April  3.  Harriet  A.  wife  of  T.  S.  Gillett  died,  aged  22. 
April  4.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McCrea  died,  aged  75. 
April  5.  Rachel,  widow  of  Henry  Yates,  died,  aged  81. 
The   common  council   were   at  this   time   discussing 
earnestly  the  project  of  introducing  water  more  abund- 
antly into  the  city.     A  report  on  the  subject  had  been 
made  at  a  previous  meeting  of  the  board   by  Alderman 
Haswell,  who  now  presented  the  form  of  a  law  for  the 
purpose  of  effecting  the  object.     It  was  estimated  that 
the  expense  would  be  as  much  as  $100,000! 

April  1 2.  Maria  B.  wife  of  David  Benson  died,  aged  38. 
April  14.  Charter  election:  whigs  triumphant. 

Wm.  Parmerlee  for  mayor, . 3,106 

John  Key es  Paige,  do 2,512 

594  maj. 

WHIGS.  Aldermen.          DEMOCRATS. 

1st  Ward.—E.  C.  Warner, 182  Richard  Parr., 266 

Samuel  Watson,..  183  P.  B.  Rooney, 267 

2d  Waid.— H.  C.  Whelpley. ..  266  John  W.  Harcourt, 253 

Elijah  Cobb, 230  John  S.  Kinney, 249 

3d  Ward.— He  ry  Greene, 447  Wm.  J.  Fryer, 337 

Jas.  H.  Pease,...  441  M.  Hendrickson 332 


4th  Ward. — Johrv  D.  Hewson, 
JameH  Goold,. . . . 

Sth  Ward.— Andrew  White, . . 
Robert  H.  Pruyn. 


6th  Ward.—- J.  A.  Livingston, 
Thomas  McElroy, 


385  Isaiah  Townsend, 222 

389  George  Warren, 219 

272  Wm.  Nessle, 155 

275  David  Newcomb, 163 


246  Jamts  Maher, 165 

256  Wm.  A.  Young, 179 

1th  Ward.— Zebina  Belknap^ . .  247  Charles  Chapman, 260 

Uri  Burt, 235  John  Van  Ness,  jr., 267 

8th  Ward.— Giles  K.  Winne, . .  202  John  Harrison, 219 

Elkanah  Hunter,..  209  Gerrit  Gates, 195 

9th  Ward.— Arthur  H.  Root,..  454  Eli  Warlord, 238 

Theo.  Watkins,,..  489  Daniel  P.  Clark, 218 

10th  JFareJ.-Joshua  I.  Jones, . .  391  Richard  Yates, 264 

Edmund  Dorr, 391     H.  H.  Van  Dyck, 260 

April  14.  Phebe,  widow  of  Capt.  John  Gager,  died, 
aged  75- 


1846.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  371 

April  15.  Richard  Hilton  died,  aged  87. 

April  16.  Rebecca  widow  of  Elijah  Judson  died,  aged  69. 

April  18    Jonathan  Burdick  died,  aged  76. 
John  Kenyon  died,  aged  45. 
Jeremiah  Smith  died,  aged  50. 

April  21.  Magdeline,  wife  of  Joseph  Coughtry,  died, 
aged  25. 

April  28.  Election  for  members  of  the  convention  for 
revising  the  constitution;  Ira  Harris  elected  from  this 
city. 

May  2.  Timothy  Gladding  died,  aged  71. 
James  Colvin  died,  aged  70. 

May  11.  Mrs.  Hannah  Stevens  died,  aged  73. 

May  12.  Agnes  McLachlan  died,  aged  38. 

May  14.  Robert  Harris  died,  aged  53. 
Levi  Sanderson  died,  aged  30. 

May  18.  Benjamin  Knower  died  at  Marseilles,  aged  33. 

May  30.  Oliver  Cotter  died,  aged  39. 

June  1 .  Meeting  of  the  convention  to  revise  the  con- 
stitution. 

June  2.  Andrew  Wollensack  died,  aged  37. 
Lewis  Becker  died,  aged  39, 

June  9.  Owen  Warner  died,  aged  56. 

June  10.  John  Humphries  died  in  New  York,  aged  79. 

June  12.  Elizabeth  Thompson  died,  aged  72, 

June  14.  James  Wood  died,  aged  64. 

June  18.  Elizabeth  Nelson  Eager,  died  aged  25. 

June  19.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Nathaniel  White,  died, 
aged  49. 

June  22.  Adaline  Augusta,  wife  of  W.  Brown,  died, 
aged  27. 

June  25.  John  T.  S.  Hansen  died,  aged  33. 

July  2.  Peter  C.  Jones  died,  aged  34. 
William  Lush  died. 

July  3.  Peter  Boyd  died.  The  father  of  Mr.  Boyd 
arrived  here  from  Scotland  in  1774,  and  his  ten  sons 
were  born  and  educated  in  the  city,  The  deceased  com- 
menced business  as  a  merchant  in  1803,  and  the  firm  of 
Peter  &  John  I.  Boyd  was  extensively  known  from  that 


372  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1846. 

time  until  1830,  for  its  probity  and  honorable  dealing. 
Mr.  Boyd  was  an  active  member  of  the  First  Presbyte- 
rian church,  and  diligently  occupied  in  doing  good. 

July  9.  Dolly,  wife  of  Daniel  Patterson,  died,  aged  71. 

July  11.  Sarah  wife  of  John  Richardson  died,  aged  46, 

July  14.  Jacob  Moore  died. 

July  15.  Hannah  wife  of  James  N.  Straw  died,  aged  48. 

July  17.  Walter  Whitney,  a  revolutionary  soldier, 
died  aged  87. 

July  21.  Mary,  widow  of  John  Cuyler,  died,  aged  71. 

July  23.  Joseph  S.  Bell  died,  aged  30. 
John  C.  Judddied,  aged  22. 

July  26.  Joseph  P.  Mott  died,  aged  49. 

July  28.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hawley  died,  aged  83. 

July  29.  Rosetta  G.5  wife  of  George  W.  Gladding,  died, 
aged  34. 

July  30.  Margaret  Drake  died,  aged  31. 

Margaiet,  widow  of  Edward  Willett,   died, 
aged  58. 

July  31.  A  company  of  volunteers  under  Capt.  Fris- 
bie  left  the  city  for  California. 

Aug.  3.  William,  son  of  John  Tweddle,  died,  aged  22, 

Aug.  4.  Matthew  Henry  Webster  died  in  New  York, 
aged  42. 

Aug,  6.  Sarah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Robinson,  died, 
aged  27, 

Aug.  10.  Jane  M.,  wife  of  C.  S.  Frink,  died,  aged  30. 
Jane  widow  of  Win.  Jl.  Hilton  died,  aged  57. 

Aug.  13.  Moses  Tyler  died,  aged  52. 

Aug.  17.  Mrs.  Ann  W.  Johnson  died,  aged  57, 

Aug.  19.  Westerlo  Woodvvorth  died,  aged  35. 

Edward  Brown  died,  aged  75.  He  was  a  native  of 
Stonington,  Conn,,  and  came  to  this  city  near  the  close 
of  the  last  century,  and  in  connection  with  his  brother 
under  the  firm  name  of  E.  &  S.  Brown,  carried  on  an  ex- 
tensive mercantile  business.  They  were  engaged  in 
several  voyages  to  China,  and  built  the  first  brick 
store  on  the  dock  at  the  foot  of  Hudson  street,  which 
was  taken  down  in  1845,  The  Dutchmen  told  them  that 


1846.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  373 

they  would  not  build  there  if  they  had  seen  the  river 
break  up.  Mr.  Brown  discharged  the  duties  of  dock 
master  from  1820  to  1841,  under  the  corporation,  when 
the  infirmities  of  age  induced  him  to  withraw  from  active 
pursuits. 

Sept.  2.  Eleanor  Jane,  wife  of  Williams  Gill,  died, 
aged  30. 

Sept.  4.  Rev.  David  Abeel,  Chinese  missionary,  died 
at  the  Manor  House,  aged  42,  and  was  buried  from  the 
North  Dutch  church. 

Sept.  5.  De  Witt  C.  Trjiax  died,  aged  24. 

Sept.  7.  Mrs.  Patience  Godlej  died,  aged  56. 

Sept.  8.  A  fire  destroyed  the  brewery  and  malt  house 
of  R.  Bayd  &  Co.,  together  with  the  Mineral  Spring 
Garden,  and  several  dwelling  houses  on  Ferry  and  Arch 
streets.  It  was  the  largest  fire  that  had  occurred  since 
1838. 

John  T.  Norton  was  elected  president  of  the  Mohawk 
and  Hudson  rail  road  in  place  of  Isaac  Newton,  resigned. 

Sept.  10.  Evert  Yates  died  at  Fultonville,  aged  82. 

Sept.  11.  William  Kemp  died,  aged  28. 

Sept.  13.  Thomas  L.  Hartness  dfed,  aged  37. 

Sept.  16.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Benj.  F.  Smith,  died. 

Sept.  IK  Catharine,  widow  of  George  McCleheran. 
died,  aged  78. 

Sept.  22.  Elizabeth  Johnson  died,  aged  68. 
Mrs.  Maria  Lewis  died,  aged  61. 

Sept.  27.  Catharine  Westerlo,  wife  of  John  Wood- 
worth,  died. 

Sept.  30.  James  Gibson  died,  aged  85. 

Dr.  Henry  Van  OLinda  died,  aged  43. 

Oct.  1.  Maria,  wife  of  Clias.  Low  senior,  died  aged  52. 

Oct.  6.  Mrs.  Mary  Parke  died,  aged  77. 

Margaret,  daughter  of  the  late  James  McElroy, 
died  at  Philadelphia,  aged  48. 

Oct.  7.  John  N.  Quackenbush  died,  aged  72. 
Mary  M  Parker  died,  aged  26. 

Oct.  8.  The  convention  sitting  in  this  city  for  the  re- 
vision of  the  constitution,  adjourned  after  a  session  of 
131  days. 


374  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1846. 

Oct.  9.  The  steam  boat  Isaac  Newton,  Capt.  W.  H. 
Peck,  made  her  first  appearance  with  800  passengers. 

Oct.  12.  Cornelia  A.,  widow  of  Charles  Smyth,  died, 
aged  51. 

Henry  L.  Webb  died  at  Haitford,  Conn.  He  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Canal  Bank,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  president  of  the  Albany  Gas  Light  company. 

Oct.  17.  Henry  Nichols  died  at  Westport,  Ct.,  aged  43. 

Oct.  18.  Eliza,  widow  of  Samuel  Dexter,  died,  aged  84. 
Elizabeth,  widow  of  Robert  H.Dunkin,  died, 
aged  87. 

Oct.  21.  A  very  destructive  fire  commenced  in  the 
stove  furnace  of  McCoy  &  Clark  in  Montgomery  street, 
which  destroyed  that  establishment,  a  part  of -the  steam 
planing  mill  of  John  Gibson,  the  factory  of  G.  C.  Tread- 
well,  and  a  large  quantity  of  staves  belonging  to  Wm. 
H.  De  Witt.  It  was  the  largest  fire  which  had  occurred 
in  several  years. 

Oct.  24.  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Henry  Brockway,  died, 
aged  20. 

Oct.  25.  Permelia,  wife  of  Levi  Chapman,  died. 

Oct.  27.  John  Howes,  of  the  firm  of  Howes  &  North- 
rop, died. 

Oct.  31.  Henry  W.  Holland  died,  aged  29. 

The  expenses  of  the  district  schools  for  the  past  year 
were  $12,280.89. 

Nov.  3.  Election.  Marcus  T.  Reynolds  was  elected  to 
the  assembly,  John  I.  Slingerland  to  Congress,  Thomas 
Kirkpatrick  county  clerk,  Oscar  Tyler  sheriff. 

Nov.  5.  Georgianna  Gibson,  died  aged  22. 

Nov.  7.  John  Glin  died,  aged  73. 

Nov.  11.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Dr.  Peter  Wendell,  died. 

Nov.  12.  Maria  Winne  died,  aged  21. 

Nov.  13.  William  Henry  Paddock  died,  aged  22. 

Nov.  14.  Maria,  wife  of  Wm.  Henry  Kearney,  died. 

Nov.  15.  Catharine,  wife  of  Henry  Lewis,  died. 

Nov.  20.  Jane  widow  of  Edward  Jordan  died,  aged  49. 

Nov.  21.  Bethana  Ann  Weaver  died,  aged  26. 

Nov.  26.  Adrian  D.  Clark  died  at  Mobile,  aged  21 


1846.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  375 

Dec.  1.  William  Lavender  died,  aged  35. 

Abraham  Vosburgh  died,  aged  92. 
Dec.  7.  Harvey  Miller  died,  aged  47. 
Dec.  14.  The   common  council   resolved   to  light  the 
City  Hall  with  gas.. 

Dec.  16.  Thomas  Wright,  of  the  firm  of  Relyea  & 
Wright,  died,  aged  50. 

The  voting  and  representative  population  of  Albany 
city  and  county,  was  as  follows: 

City.         County.     Total. 
Whole  population,  ...  41,139     36,129     87,268 

Aliens 5,759       1,499       7,258 

Colored,  not  taxed,..         752          355       1,109 

Representative, 34,628     34,275     68,903 

Voting, 7,977       7,901     15,878 

Dec.  18.  Hannah  S.,  wife  of  Selleck  Whitney,  died, 
aged  56. 

Dec.  24.  Peter  McElroy  died,  aged  36. 
Dec.  25.  Frederick  Fredendall  died,  aged  63. 
Dec.  26.  Thomas  Gough  died,  aged  66. 
Dec.  27.  Susan  Van  Benthuisen,  wife  of  Robert  Shaw, 
died. 

Dec.  30.  Susannah  wife  of  Mellen  Battel  died,  aged  55. 
Dec.  31.  Dorothy  Gove  died,  aged  88. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Fisher  died. 

1847. 

Jan.  3.  The  river  was  open  before  the  city,  and  the 
weather  spring-like. 

Jan.  9.  Aaron  Lyon  died,  aged  59. 

Mrs.  Hannah  Redecar  died,  aged  55. 

Jan.  11.  The  common  council,  before  whom  the  pro- 
ject of  a  new  mode  of  furnishing  the  city  with  water  had 
long  been  pressed,  now  resolved  to  subscribe  $100,000  as 
soon  as  $150,000  more  of  the  stock  should  be  taken  by 
individuals. 

Oliver  H.  Perry  died,  age<J  22. 

Jan.  14.  John  Campbell  died,  aged  34. 

The  whole  amount  of  taxes  assessed  upon  the  city  and 


376  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1847 

county  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  past  year,  was  $144,- 
943.65. 

Jan.  15.  Sarah,  widow  of  John  Spencer,  died,  aged  61. 

Messrs.  E.  Corning  £  Co.  removed  into  their  new  store 
in  Broadway,  which  was  at  the  time  the  most  excellent 
one  in  the  city. 

Jan.  18.  Mary,  widow  of  George  Artcher,  died,  aged  80. 
Susan  B.,  wife  of  Henry  R.  Hoffman,  died, 

aged  27. 
Matilda  A.,  wife  of  Win.  Hurst,  died,  aged  22. 

Subscriptions  were  at  this  time  being  made  to  the  stock 
of  the  Hudson  River  Rail  Road. 

Feb.  1.  A  new  theatre,  called  the  Odeon,  was  opened, 
in  Broadway. 

Feb.  3.  Catharine,  widow  of  Isaac  Hamilton,  died. 

Feb.  5.  John  Mills  died,  aged  26. 

Ann  Elizabeth  Lyons  died,  aged  20. 

Feb.  7.  Capt.  John  Iggett  died,  aged  46. 

Feb.  12.  There  was  a  meeting  at  the  Capitol  in  behalf 
of  starving  Ireland. 

Feb.  16.  George  W.  Thatcher  died,  aged  70. 

Feb.  22.  Cornelius  J.  Bounds  died,  aged  51. 

Feb.  24.  Anna,  wife  of  John  W.  Bell,  died,  aged  26. 
Susan,  widow  of  Jesse  Buel,  died,  aged  64. 

Feb.  26,  Ann  Eliza  Willett  died,  aged  39. 

March  1.  Wm.  M.  Northrop  died,  aged  35. 

Marcl  7.  John  Wilson  died,  aged  70. 

Contributions  for  the  relief  of  the  famishing  in  Ireland 
were  taken  up  in  the  three  Catholic  churches,  which 
amounted  to  $5,329. 

March  9.  The  military  and  citizens  paid  funeral  hon- 
ors to  the  remains  of  Capt.  Lewis  N.  Morris. 

Lyman  Phileo  died,  aged  42. 

March  10.  Martin  Blunt  died,  aged  32. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Miller  died,  aged  78. 
Russell  Buckley  died,  aged  46. 

March  11.  P.  M.  wife  of  Ephraim  Howard  died,  aged  65. 

March  14.  Mary  wife  of  Richard  Thomas  died,  aged  59. 

March  18.  Wife  of  Wm.  H.  Mayer  died  at  Fort  Plain, 
aged  49. 


1847.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  377 

March  20.  Ann  C.,  widow  of  Thomas  Russell,  died, 
aged  75. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Bloomingdale  died,  aged  83. 

Philip  Schuyler  Van  Ingen  died  at  Bethany,  Va.,  aged 
46. 

March  24.  David  Christian  died,  aged  71. 

March  25.  Cynthia  M.,  wife  of  Henry  Johnson,  died, 
aged  33. 

The  fare  to  New  York  by  the  Housatonic  rail  road  had 
been  $5,  during  the  winter;  it  was  now  reduced  to  $3,  to 
meet  the  competition  by  water.  The  steam  boats  came 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  city,  but  were  unable  to  get 
through  the  barrier  below  the  overslaugh. 

March  28.  Daniel  W.  Mixter  died,  aged  24. 

March  30.  A  jubilee  dinner  was  given  to  Dr.  William 
Bay  on  the  occasion  of  his  completing  a  half  century  of 
practice.  The  fete  was  celebrated  at  Congress  Hall,  Dr. 
T.  R.  Beck,  presiding. 

April  2.  Huldah  Ann  Mead  died,  aged  32. 

April  5.  Sarah,  wife  of  Henry  Lathrop,  died,  aged  48. 

April  8.  Mrs.  Anna  Wood  died,  aged  75. 

April  7.  Jakey  Jackson  died;  an  aged  and  respectable 
colored  man,  employed  all  his  life  in  sweeping  lawyers' 
offices,  daily  redeeming  them  from  the  dust  of  litigation, 
and  restoring  as  much  natural  sweetness  in  those  waste 
places,  as  could  possibly  be  effected  by  the  aid  of  a  broom 
and  watering  pot.  He  was  a  little  old  gentleman,  grave 
and  reverend  before  a  lawyer  with  his  eyes  upon  a  book, 
but  jocund  as  the  morning  when  addressed,  and  particu- 
larly happy  if  the  recognition  was  made  in  Dutch. 

April  10.  The  river  was  open  and  three  steam  boats 
arrived.  For  more  than  a  week  the  boats  had  tantalized 
the  merchants  on  the  dock  and  pier  with  the  sight  of 
their  smoke  pipes,  first  from  the  City  Hall,  when  twelve 
miles  below,  and  from  day  to  day  nearer  and  nearer,  till 
they  were  within  sight  of  their  own  stores,  making  vigor- 
ous efforts  to  push  through  the  ice,  within  three  miles  of 
their  destination.  Relief  was  anxiously  looked  for  in  the 
breaking  up  of  the  Mohawk,  which  took  place  at  last, 


378 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


1847. 


causing  such  a  rise  of  water    and  rush  of  ice,  that  the 
large  wooden  storehouse  on  the  pier  above  the  Maiden 
lane  cut,  was  completely  demolished,  and  many  thousand 
bushels  of  grain  and  feed  went  down  with  the  flood. 
April  10.  Ann,  widow  of  William  Stilwell,  died. 
April  12.  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Tweddle,  died,  aged  51. 
April  13.  Marion  wife  of  Joseph  Gibson  died,  aged  33. 
April   13.  Election:  four   parties  in  the  field;   whigs 
elected  mayor  and  14  of  the  20  aldermen. 

For  mayor — William  Parmelee, 4088 

James  Goold 1168 

M.  Heridrickson, 605 

Woodruff, 78 


WHIGS.  Aldermen. 

1st  Ward.—  John  Milliman,. ,..  102 

Jacob  Schoonmaker,  118 
2d  Ward.—W.  W.  Frothingham  142 

Anson  McAllaster, .     187 

3d  Ward.— H.  B    Haswell,....     4.12 

G.  A.  H.  Englfchart..     453 

4th  Ward.— Franklin  Townsend,     411 

Daniel  Fry 403 

5th  Ward.—  Andrew  White, 287 

R.  H.  Pruyn, 289 

Gth  Ward. — John  A.Livingston,.  288 

C.  M.  Jenkins, 282 

1th  Ward. — Rensselaer  West, . . .  298 

Uri  Burt, 300 

8th  Ward.—Wm.  B.Scott 274 


H.  A.  Williams,. 
9th  Ward.— George  Traver,.. 

Wm.  Gumming,. 
IQth  PFarcJ.-RoswellSteele,... 

Daniel  B.  Bassett, 


197 
488 
467 
345 
377 


DEMOCRATS. 

Richard  Parr, 265 

S.  W    Harned, 228 

Geo.  B.  RUgs, 372 

W.  W.  Forsyth, 306 

Chas.  Van  Bemhuysen,  282 

H.  W.  Alien,   311 

Geo.  Monteath, 214 

Geo.  Clemens 210 

Thos.  Hun, 171 

E.  R.  Satterlee, 161 

W.  B.  Gonrlay 170 

Geo.  W.  Luther, 159 

Timothy  Spears, 205 

C.  Boyd 207 

J.  Harrison, 290 

P.  McCall, 318 

Robert  Hiirsins, 255 

J.   D    Cady~ 335 

John  Cooke, 277 


J.  Disney, 230 

April  15.  William  G.  Fry  died,  aged  42. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  church,  which  was  built  in 
1816,  at  the  cost  of  $75,000,  was  now  thoroughly  reno- 
vated by  extensive  changes  in  its  interior  arrangements 
at  an  expense  of  $9,000. 

April  16.  Mary  Capron  died,  aged  81. 

April  26.  Daniel  W.  Humphrey  died,  aged  28. 

April  27.  Elizabeth  wife  of  John  Moffit  died,  aged  40. 
John  Reston  died,  aged  66. 


1847.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  379 

April  29.  Mrs.  John  Van  Ness  Yates  died,  in  N.York. 

May  4.  Edmund  Lord  died,  aged  63. 

May  9.  Rev.  James  McDonough,  pastor  of  St.  John's 
church  in  Ferry  street,  preached  his  farewell  sermon, 
having  been  transferred  to  St.  James's  church,  Brooklyn. 
Rev.  Mr.  McClosky  of  Schenectady  succeeded  Mm. 

Rev.  Dr.  Schneller,  who  had  for  more  than  twelve 
years  officiated  as  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  church,  was  also 
transferred  to  Brooklyn. 

May  9.  Julia  A.  Covert  died,  aged  18. 
Hiram  Bromley  died,  aged  43. 

May  10.  Eliza,  wife  of  James  H.  Brooks,  died. 

May  14.  Alex.  McLean  died  at  Buffalo,  aged  40. 
_    May  17.  Mrs.  Nancy  Van  Ness  died,  aged  75. 

May  19.  John  Davis  died,  aged  40. 

News  was  received  of  the  murder  of  Wm.  H.Kearney, 
a  volunteer  in  the  Mexican  war  After  the  American 
army  left  Vera  Cruz,  he  was  sent  back  with  several 
others  to  bring  up  some  stragglers  and  the  mails,  and 
whilst  on  that  duty  was  shot  dowc  from  the  way  side  by 
the  banditti  that  infested  the  road,  and  bayonetted;  after 
which  his  feet  were  tied  together,  and  his  body  drawn 
by  a  horse  over  the  road  until  his  head  was  so  bruised 
that  his  features  could  hardly  be  recognized. 

May  20.  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  John  M. 
Bradford,  died. 

May  28.  John  Delehanty  died,  aged  61. 

Betsey   S.,  wife   of  James  B.  Stryker,   died 
aged  27. 

May  29.  Leonard  Beardsley  died,  aged  25. 

May  30.  Mrs.  Leah  Kane  died,  aged  74. 
Emeline  Mayell  died. 

May  31.  Joseph  Hall  died,  aged  83. 

June  1.  Anna,  wife  of  Charles  Scovel,  died,  aged  32. 

June  7.  Lydia,  wife  of  Caleb  Benjamin,  died,  aged  79. 
Mary  Jane,  wife  of  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  died 
at  Schenectady. 

Amasa  J.  Parker  and  Ira  Harris,  Esqs.,  were  elected 
justices  of  the  supreme  court. 


380  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  1847. 

June  9.  George  W.  Weed  died,  aged  35. 
June  19.  Henry  R.  Walker  died,  aged  25. 
June  20.  William  W.  Crannel  died,  aged  51. 
June  22.  Margaret  Henry  died,  aged  59. 
June  25.  Henry  Keyes  died,  aged  5 1 . 
June  26.  James  McKown  died,  aged  58.  Col.  McKown 
was  educated  to  the  legal  profession  under  John  V.  Henry, 
whose  law  partner  he  became.     He  held  the  office  of  re- 
corder for  15  years,  and  resigned  in  1838.    He  was  again 
appointed  in  1844.     During  his  term  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  mayor's  court  was   extended,   its   character  and  dig- 
nity increased,   and  it  commanded  universal  confidence 
and  respect.     He  was  several  years  successively  a  mem- 
ber of  the  assembly,  and  a  regent  of  the  university. 
June  26.  Mary  E.,  wife  of  J.  K.  WTing,  died,  aged  28. 
June  29.  James  Chestney  died,  aged  95. 
July  1.  George  Forbey,  Jr.  died,  aged  22. 
July  3.  Sarah,  wife  of  Laban  W.  Keith,  died,  aged  55. 

Anna  L.,  wife  of  R.  L.  Joice,  died,  aged  25. 
July  5.  John  W.  Van  Buren  died,  aged  34. 

Caroline   C.,  wife  of  Ezra   B.  Bennett,  died, 

aged  37. 

July  9.  Ann  widow  of  Christopher  Oley  died,  aged  70. 
July  14.  Cynthia,  widow  of  Timothy  Gladding,  died. 
July  16.  Daniel  Bradt  died,  aged  68. 
July  17.  John  Worcester  died,  aged  48. 
July  20.  John  Russell  died,  aged  37. 

Abram  Rosekrans  died,  aged  67. 
July  22.  Catalina  Boyd  died,  aged  32. 

Charles  Boardrnan  died,  aged  52. 
July  23.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Powers  died,  aged  95. 
July  24.  Richard  Roser,  jr.  died,  aged  46. 
July  28.  Lois  P.,  wife  of  Benj.  C.  Raymond,  died. 
Aug.  2.  Elizabeth  wife  of  W.  F.  Slawson  died,  aged  25. 

Garret  L.  Dox  died  at  Waterloo,  aged  62. 
Aug.  3.  Caroline  C.,   wife  of  Dr.  R.  B.  Briggs,  died, 
aged  32. 

John  E.  Lovett  resigned  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the 
Albany  Insurance  company  on  account  of  ill-health,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Stephen  Groesbeeck. 


1847.  Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  381 

Aug.  4.  Laura  widow  of  Charles  Dillon  died,  aged  43. 

Capt.  Elihu  S.  Bunker  died,  for  nearly  half  a  century 
identified  with  steam  boat  navigation.  He  commanded 
the  first  steam  boat  that  ran  upon  the  sound. 

Aug.  6.  Johanna,  wife  of  Simon  Relyea,  died,  aged  49. 
Adeline,   wife  of    Schuyler   Bradwell,   died, 
aged  27. 

Aug.  9.  The  firemen  received  and  entertained  a  com- 
pany from  Charlestown,  Mass.,  giving  a  torch-light  pro- 
cession in  the  evening. 

Aug.   10.  John  Stockton^died,  aged  47. 

Aug.  11.  Fanny,  wife  of  David  Deyo,  died,  aged  53. 

Aug.  16.  William  Thorp  died  at  Oakhill,  aged  56. 
Alexander  McElroy  died,  aged  88. 

Aug.  17.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Baker  died,  aged  71. 

Aug.  19.  Jiohn  Erskine  Lovett  died,  aged  52.  Mr. 
Lovett  was  for  a  longtime  city  attorney;  afterwards  an 
active  member  of  the  common  council;  and  was  for  the 
last  fourteen  years  of  his  life  secretary  of  the  Albany 
insurance  company.  He  was  a  man  of  amiable  and  re- 
fined manners,  accurate  learning,  strict  integrity,  and 
possessing  a  high  sense  of  honor. 

Sept.  2.  Thomas  Bulger  died,  aged  67. 

Sept.  4.  Jane,  widow  of  Horace  Allen,  died,  aged  72. 

Sept.  6.  Michael  I.  Johnston  died,  aged  45. 
David  Deyo,  jr.  died,  aged  56. 

This  closes  the  Notes  from  the  Newspapers,  and  brings 
the  events  of  the  city  down  to  the  time  when  the  Annals 
were  begun  in  1847.  See  vol.  1,  p.  159,  and  341,  and  each 
succeeding  volume,  in  which  the  events  of  the  year  are 
published  to  the  close  of  1858,  forming  a  continuous 
chronicle  of  nearly  ninety  years,  since  the  first  newspaper 
was  printed  here. 

[Annals,  x.]  33 


(  382  ) 

ABRAHAM  VAN  YECHTEN. 


This  distinguished  lawyer  and  statesman,  was  the  youngest  son 
of  Teunis  Van  Vechten  and  Judith  Ten  Broeck,  and  was  born  at  Cats- 
kill,  December  5,  1762;  was  married  May  24,  1784,  to  Catharine 
Schuyler,  daughter  of  Philip  P.  Schuyler  and  Anna  Wendell;  and  died 
at  Albany,  on  the  6th  January,  1837. 

Few  men  have  been  called  to  so  extensive  a  sphere  of  usefulness 
and  filled  it  so  long  and  so  well  as  ABRAHAM  VAN  VKCHTEN.  He 
entered  upon  the  scenes  of  active  life  shortly  after  the  Revolutionary 
war.  He  received  his  elementary  education  at  a  public  school  in 
Esopus,  which  has  been  the  nursery  of  many  of  our  distinguished 
men.  He  pursued  his  professional  studies  under  the  direction  of  the 
late  Chancellor  Lansing,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  in  the  county 
of  Montgomery,  but  was  soon  invited  to  occupy  a  more  extensive 
field  in  the  city  of  Albany.  The  high  places  at  the  bar  were  then 
filled  by  a  gifted  race  of  advocates,  among  whom  were  Hamilton, 
Harrison,  Jones,  Burr  and  Livingston.  But  the  brilliancy  of  the  bar 
could  not  cast  young  Van  Vechten  in  the  shade.  He  soon  ranked 
among  his  illustrious  seniors  as  an  equal  and  a  competitor  for  the  high- 
est professional  eminence.  Untiring  in  his  efforts,  the  powers  of  his 
highly  gifted  mind  were  continually  developed  and  expanded.  His 
intellect  was  formed  to  grapple  with  the  most  abstruse  and  difficult 
subjects  of  judicial  investigation;  and  he  early  inured  himself  to  the 
most  intense  application  of  mental  industry.  In  acuteness  and  the 
ready  comprehension  of  any  subject  presented  for  his  investigation,  he 
had  few  equals.  And  nature  seemed  to  have  furnished  him  with 
powers  eminently  adapted  to  the  illustration  of  legal  principles.  He 
made  no  display  of  legal  lore,  his  learning  seemed  to  be  incorporated 
with  his  thoughts.  What  he  had  once  read  was  well  digested  and 
remained  ever  ready  for  application.  A  large  portion  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  the  discussion  of  legal  questions  in  our  highest  tribunals  of 
law  and  equity,  there  he  was  always  listened  to  with  profound  at- 
tention by  our  most  eminent  judges.  His  arguments  were  calculated 
to  elucidate  and  instruct,  and  greatly  to  aid  the  tribunals  to  which  they 
were  addressed  in  forming  correct  conclusions.  His  style  was  re- 
markable for  purity,  perspicuity  and  strength.  His  train  of  thought 
was  always  logical  and  correct.  In  his  manner  he  was  usually  calm 
and  unimpassioned,  yet  earnest  and  forcible.  His  talents  were  too 
conspicuous  to  allow  him  to  confine  his  efforts  to  the  bar.  He  was 
repeatedly  chosen  to  represent  his  fellow  citizens  in  both  branches  of 
the  legislature.  The  senate  chamber  was  the  theatre  of  some  of  his 
highest  intellectual  efforts.  As  a  member  of  the  court  for  the  cor- 


ABRAHAM  VAN  VECHTEN. 


Abraham  Van  Vechten.  383 

rection  of  errors  he  has  left  behind  him  enduring  monuments  of  his 
legal  wisdom.  '  For  a  number  of  years  he  filled  the  office  of  attorney 
general  with  distinguished  ability.  At  an  early  period  of  his  life  a 
seat  on  the  bench  of  the  supreme  court  was  offered  to  him  by  Gov. 
Jay;  a  similar  offer  was  made  to  him  at  a  later  period.  He  declined 
these  proffered  honors,  preferring  the  labors  of  the  bar  as  more  con- 
genial to  his  habits  and  his  feelings.  The  causes  in  our  books  of  re- 
ports in  which  he  took  a  part  as  counsel,  numerous  as  they  are,  give 
but  a  faint  idea  of  the  amount  of  professional  labor  performed  by  him. 
For  more  than  half  a  century  his  brilliant  mind  was  constantly 
shed  ling  its  light  over  the  jurisprudence  of  the  state.  The  bar  had 
long  delighted  to  accord  to  him  the  highest  honors  they  could  bestow. 
To  the  younger  members  of  the  profession  he  had  greatly  endeared 
himself  by  his  kindness  and  courteous  manners;  and  by  all  he  was 
venerated  as  an  illustrious  model  of  professional  excellence.  In  his 
daily  consultations  with  his  clients  he  was  emphatically  a  peace 
maker.  It  was  his  constant  habit  to  advise  to  the  settlement  of  dis- 
putes whenever  it  was  practicable.  He  allowed  no  sordid  motives 
to  influence  his  advice,  or  to  bias  his  mind  in  giving  his  opinions. 

He  was  recorder  of  the  city  of  Albany  from  1797  to  1808;  state 
senator  from  1798  to  1805,  and  from  1816  to  1S20;  member  of  assem- 
bly from  1805  to  1815;  attorney-general  of  the  state  for  the  year 
1810,  and  was  again  appointed  in  1813,  and  served  two  years;  and 
Was  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1821. 

Hi>  character  as  a  citizen  in  the  private  walks  of  life  afforded  a  model 
of  excellence.  He  constantly  displayed  in  his  intercourse  with  his 
neighbors  and  acquaintances  the  most  amiable  social  qualities  which 
adorn  the  human  heart.  To  his  other  traits  of  character  was  added  one 
wh;ch  is  justly  deemed  of  far  the  most  importance;  he  was  a  sincere 
believer  in  the  Savior  of  the  world  and  a  venerated  member  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church.  In  her  judicatories  his  paternal  counsels 
were  listened  to  with  reverence,  as  eminently  calculated  to -promote 
the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Church.  His  disinterestedness  was  a 
prominent  feature  in  his  character  and  was  the  foundation  of  that 
unbounded  confidence  which  was  reposed  in  him  by  all  who  knew 
him.  In  his  domestic  circle  he  was  remarkable  for  kindness  and 
affc  lion  ate  attention  to  the  feelings  and  wants  of  those  who  were 
dependent  upon  him. 


(384) 

ALBANY. 


The  following  communication,  exhibiting  the  actual 
condition  of  our  city,  its  prospects  and  advantages,  is 
from  a  source,  it  will  be  perceived,  that  entitles  its  state- 
ments to  entire  credit.  We  lay  it  before  our  readers 
with  the  more  pleasure,  as  the  present  indications  point 
not  only  to  the  continued  prosperity  of  the  city,  but  to  the 
prevalence  of  a  spirit  among  us  that  must  lead  to  a  far 
higher  appreciation  of  the  advantages  of  this  most  favor- 
able location  for  all  the  purposes  of  extensive  business 
and  profitable  adventure.  The  growth  of  Albany  has 
been  steady,  and  in  all  respects  substantial.  At  the  head 
of  one  of  the  most  noble  rivers  in  America — at  the  conflu- 
ence of  the  river  and  a  chain  of  internal  communication 
stretching  west  from  the  Hudson  to  the  Mississippi  and 
north  to  the  St.  Lawrence — the  recipient  of  the  products, 
not  only  of  our  own  west,  with  its  abundance  and  fertil- 
ity, but  of  all  the  extended  and  rapidly  improving  country 
bordering  upon  and  lying  between  the  two  great  points 
referred  to — its  destiny  can  not  be  mistaken.  It  must 
become  one  of  the  largest  cities  of  the  Union.  This  re- 
sult will  be  facilitated  by  the  measures  now  in  progress 
for  opening  a  direct  communication,  via  Stockbridge  and 
Worcester,  to  Boston ;  and  particularly  by  the  fresh  spirit 
and  energy  with  which  our  citizens  have  entered  into  that 
and  other  improvements. 

This  communication  has  been  issued  in  the  form  of  a 
circular,  and  addressed  to  such  persons  in  the  adjacent 
states,  as  will  be  likely,  from  their  character,  standing 
and  relative  situation,  to  view  the  matter  with  interest, 
and  give  it  circulation  among  those  for  whose  information 
it  is  designed. — Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  1835. 

Albany,  the  capital  of  the  state  of  New  York,  is  near 
the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Hudson  river,  where  the 


Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages.  385 

great  western  and  northern  canals  terminate.  Its  happy 
position,  at  a  point  where  a  river  navigable  to  the  ocean, 
and  one  of  the  finest  in  the  world,  meets  the  great  inland 
communications  with  the  northern  and  western  lakes, 
ensures  its  advancement,  and  that  at  no  distant  period, 
to  the  very  first  rank  among  the  inland  cities  of  this 
country.  Since  the  completion  of  the  Erie  and  Cham- 
plain  canals,  its  progress  in  population  and  business  has 
been  almost  unexampled. 

In  1820,  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  12,630.  In 
1830,  24,209,  being  an  increase  of  92  per  cent,  in  ten 
years.  No  census  has  been  taken  since  1830,  but  one  is 
now  in  progress,  and  will  shortly  be  completed.  No 
doubt  is  entertained,  from  the  increase  of  business  in  the 
city,  that  it  will  show  a  very  great  increase  of  population 
over  that  of  1830. 

The  following  table  shows  the  increase  in  the  amount 
of  produce  and  merchandise  arriving  at  Albany  by  way 
of  the  canal  in  two  years,  from  1832  to  1834: 

COMPARATIVE    TABLE    FOR   THE   YEARS 

1832.  1834. 

Domestic  spirits,             brls.           21,285  20,839 

hhds.  1,274 

Boards  and  scantling,      feet     36,020,594  62,103,000 

Shingles,                           M.  22,643 

Timber,                            feet            55,569  104,145 

Flour,                                brls.        422,695  795,182 

Provisions.                                         21,274  20,864 

Salt,                                   bush.         23,117  19,070 

Ashes,                                brls.           19,091  16,944 

Wood,                               cords         15,524  17,685 

Wheat,                              bush.       145,960  233,574 

Coarse  grain,                                   208,943  490,880 

No.  of  boats  arrived  and  cleared,   14,300  18,550 

No.  of  tons,                                      109,300  156,804 

It  appears  from  the  above  table  that  the  increase  in 
favor  of  1834  over  1832  on  the  three  greatest  articles  of 
merchandise,  viz:  lumber  in  its  various  shapes,  flour  and 


386  Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages. 

grain,  is  from  70  to  100  per  cent,  and  a  continued  in- 
crease will  no  doubt  go  on.  The  lumber  trade  alone  at 
this  city,  is  already  immense,  it  being  one  of  the  best 
lumber  markets  in  the  Union,  and  promises  to  continue 
so  for  a  long  time  to  come. 

The  following  is  a  complete  return  of  the  different 
articles  arriving  at  Albany  by  way  of  the  Canal  during 
the  year  1834. 

1334. 

Complete  returns  of  articles,  under  the  new  order. 

Domestic  spirits,  brls.  20,839 

Boards  and  scantling,  feet  62,103,000 

Shingles,  M.  22,643 

Timber,  feet  104,145 

Staves,  56,438,000 

Flour,            brls.  '  795,182 

Provisions,      "  20,864 


Salt, 

Ashes, 

Lime, 

Beer, 

Cider, 


10,070 

16,944 

455,810 

293 

43 


Dried  fruit,  Ibs.  45,934 

Apples,  brls.  241 

Wood,  cords  17,685 

Wheat,  bush.  233,574 

Coarse  grain,  "  490,880 

Bran  and  ship-stuff       "  273,191 

Peas  and  beans,  "  13,137 

Potatoes,  19,758 

Clover  and  grass  seed,  Ibs.  790,434 

Flax  seed,  "  613,046 

Wool,  "  591,760 

Cotton,  "  22,412 

Cheese,  "  1,553,304 

Butter  and  lard,  "  1,826,341 

Hops,  "  247,165 

Hemp,  "  57,581 


Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages.  387 

Tobacco,  Ibs.  447,349 

Fur  and  peltry,  361,283 

Stone,  4,111,323 

Merchandise,  181,218 

Furniture,  199,747 

Clay,  4  250 

Pig  lead,  "  MOO 

Pig  Iron,  «•  49,213 

Iron  ware,  "  377,922 

Sundries,  .     8,129,695 

There  is  no  doubt  that,  the  business  of  this  year  will 
very  greatly  exceed  that  of  the  last.  By  returns  from 
the  collector's  office  at  Albany,  up  to  the  1st  of  August 
(after  which  it  will  be  recollected  the  great  business 
season  of  the  year  is  yet  to  come),  it  appeared  that  the 
amount  of  many  of  the  articles  mentioned  in  the  fore- 
going report  which  had  then  arrived,  exceeded  the  entire 
quantity  that  arrived  during  the  whole  of  last  year. 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  canal  tolls  received 
by  the  collector  at  Albany,  down  to  the  1st  of  September 
in  1834  and  1835: 

To  the  1st  of  September,  1834,     $124,263.49 
"  "  1835,       192,883.10 

Being  an  increase  of  business  by  the  way  of  the  canal  of 
56  per  cent,  since  last  year.  Besides  this,  a  consider- 
able quantity  of  produce  is  brought  to  Albany  on  the 
Mohawk  and  Hudson  rail  road,  which  strikes  the  Erie 
canal  at  Schenectady — the  amount  being  about  420  tons 
per  week. 

For  the  future  the  prospects  of  Albany  are  still  more 
encouraging.  The  rail  road  from  Schenectady  to  Utica 
is  now  constructing,  and  will  be  completed  by  next  July 
or  August;  thus  extending  the  rail  road  communication 
100  miles  west.  Rail  roads  are  also  constructing  be- 
tween Syracuse  and  Auburn,  and  between  Rochester  and 
Batavia,  which  will  so  far  complete  the  line  of  rail  roads 
to  Buffalo,  that  it  is  easy  to  foresee  that  but  a  short  time 
can  elapse  before  a  continuous  line  will  be  established  to 
Lake  Erie,  th'us  making  the  spring  and  winter  facilities 


388  Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages. 

of  transportation  nearly  equal  to  those  of  the  summer. 
A  company  is  now  engaged  in  making  surveys  for  a  rail 
road  from  Albany  to  Stockbridge  in  Massachusetts,  which 
with  the  contemplated  rail  road  from  Stockbridge  to 
connect  with  the  Boston  and  Worcester  rail  road,  will 
form  a  chain  of  rail  road  communication  between  Albany 
and  Boston,  which  will  be  of  great  advantage  to  this  city, 
especially  in  the  winter,  when  the  intercourse  by  water 
with  New  York  is  suspended.  When  all  these  roads  are 
completed,  and  there  is  no  doubt  they  soon  will  be,  and 
the  links  west  of  Utica  above  referred  to,  filled  up,  there 
will  be  a  line  of  rail  road  communication  from  Boston  to 
Buffalo;  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  western  lakes,  of  which 
Albany  will  be  the  business  centre. 

While  private  enterprise  is  doing  so  much  to  improve 
the  communication  with  the  west,  the  state  government 
by  a  late  law  has  authorized  an  enlargement  of  the 
Erie  canal  and  the  construction  of  double  locks,  which 
it  is  supposed  will  have  the  effect  to  reduce  the  price  of 
transportation  30  to  40  per  cent,  and  greatly  to  augment 
it  in  quantity. 

The  present  rate  of  toll  on  1000  pounds  of  flour  from 
Buffalo  to  Albany  is  $1.62£.  The  reduction  will  bring 
it  to  less  than  one  half  the  cost,  for  the  same  distance  by 
any  other,  route,  and  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk  must 
continue  to  be  as  it  always  has  been  the  natural  and 
easiest  channel  of  commerce  with  the  west,  and  Albany 
the  depot  where  the  exchange  takes  place  between  the 
productions  of  the  interior  for  those  of  the  sea  coast  and 
of  foreign  countries.  This  exchange  will  be  much  faci- 
litated by  the  improvement  now  making  in  the  navigation 
of  the  Hudson  by  the  United  States  government.  The 
removal  of  the  bar,  which  is  the  object  of  this  improve- 
ment,will,  when  completed,  deepen  the  channel  to  about 
twelve  feet,  and  will  give  to  this  place  a  West  India 
trade,  in  which  the  productions  of  the  islands,  consumed 
in  the  west,  will  be  exchanged  for  the  produce  brought 
down  the  canal,  without  being  burdened  by  landing, 
storage  and  reshipment  at  New  York. 


Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages.  389 

No  doubt  is  entertained  that  the  coasting  and  West 
India  trade  will  be  carried  on  to  a  very  great  extent  in 
Albany,  and  with  very  great  profit  and  success,  so  soon  as 
the  improvement  of  the  river  navigation  is  completed ;  and 
for  the  reason  above  given,  no  place  in  the  country  can, 
in  many  respects,  be  more  advantageously  situated  for 
it.  Indeed,  the  coasting  trade  carried  on  between  this 
city  and  the  seaport  towns  of  New  England,  is  already 
very  extensive.  There  are  about  twenty-five  regular 
trading  vessels  between  Albany  and  Boston  only,  which 
it  is  estimated  by  one  of  our  most  intelligent  forwarding 
merchants  bring  to  this  place  about  25,000  quintals 
codfish  during  the  season,  and  about  25,000  barrels  of 
mackerel,  besides  large  quantities  of  merchandise  which 
passes  up  the  canal,  or  stops  for  a  market  here,  not  less 
probably  thaji  5,000  tons.  These  vessels  take  from 
Albany  to  Boston,  in  return,  about  75,000  barrels  of 
flour  per  season,  together  with  large  quantities  of  timo- 
thy seed,  peas,  wool,  &c.  The  indirect  trade  between 
Boston  and  Albany,  which  is  transhipped  at  New  York, 
is  also  very  extensive. 

Besides  the  routes  above  mentioned,  others  are  making 
to  the  north,  all  directly  communicating  with  this  city, 
and  increasing  its  advantages.  A  rail  road  communica- 
tion already  exists  between  this  place  and  Saratoga 
Springs,  by  way  of  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  and  Sara- 
toga and  Schenectady  rail  roads.  The  rail  road  now 
about  making  from  Saratoga  Springs  to  Whitehall,  will 
complete  the  route  to  Lake  Champlain,  and  afford  the 
same  advantages  for  a  trade  with  Canada  in  the  fall  and 
spring  as  are  now  given  by  means  of  the  northern  canal 
in  the  summer. 

It  necessarily  results  from  the  situation  of  Albany  and 
its  easy  means  of  communication  with  the  surrounding 
country,  that  an  immense  travel  centres  at  this  city. 
Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  its  extent  when  we  state 
that  it  is  estimated,  and  no  doubt  truly,  that  from 
600,000  to  800,000  persons  arrive  at  and  depart  from 
this  city  in  the  course  of  the  year,  by  the  several  stage 


390  Albany,  its  Prospects  and  Advantages. 

routes,  rail  roads,  steam  boats  and  other  vessels — and 
this  number  is  yearly  increasing,  and  no  doubt  six  years 
will  see  it  doubled* 

In  consequence  of  this  city  being  a  great  depot  for  the 
produce  of  the  north  and  west,  raw  materials  for  manu- 
facture are  obtained  here  at  the  cheapest  rates,  and  pro- 
visions are  lower  than  in  any  of  the  Atlantic  cities. 
The  market  is  abundant  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and 
is  well  supplied  with  all  the  necessaries  and  luxuries  of 
life,  at  moderate  prices. 

Industrious  mechanics,  and  all  men  of  enterprise  and 
character,  can  not  fail  to  prosper  in  Albany,  as  the  means 
of  living  are  cheap,  and  the  market  extensive — commu- 
nicating with  almost  every  section  of  the  country,  in  the 
readiest  manner.  All  will  here  find  an  almost  certain 
reward  for  their  exertions  ;  almost  every  branch  of 
mechanical  labor  is  or  may  be  carried  on  at  this  city,  to 
very  great  advantage,  and  no  doubt  with  great  success. 
Good  water  power  exists  in  its  vicinity  for  mills  and 
manufactories,  and  a  ready  market  can  easily  be  found 
for  all  products  of  labor  and  skill/  With  the  strong 
conviction  that  the  interest  of  those  who  may  come  to 
take  up  their  residence  in  our  city  will  be  promoted,  as 
well  as  the  prosperity  of  the  city  thereby  increased,  we 
hope  that  you  will  give  circulation  to  this  statement, 
among  such  as  you  may  suppose  wish  to  seek  in  this 
state  additional  encouragement  for  their  enterprise  and 
industry.  Respectfully,  yours, 

ERASTUS  CORNING,  JOHN  TOWNSEND, 

TEUNIS  VAN  VECHTEN,         FR.  BLOODGOOD, 
JOHN  WOODWORTH,  S.  VAN  RENSSELAER,  Jr. 

AUGUSTUS  JAMES,  JAS.  STEVENSON, 

THOS.  W.  OLCOTT,  JESSE  BUEL, 

GIDEON  HAWLEY,  H.  BLEECKER. 

B.  KNOWER,  JAS.  VANDERPOEL. 

LEWIS  BENEDICT, 


(391) 

TYRONE  POWER'S  IMPRESSIONS  OF 
ALBANY. 


[Mr.  Power,  the  popular  Irish  actor,  on  his  return  home,  published 
a  book  of  his  Impressions  of  America,  which  was  a  readable  and 
liberal  work.  The  following  account  of  the  excitement  he  created  at 
the  Theatre  is  a  tolerably  correct  statement  of  the  affair.  Theatrical 
audiences  were  extremely  jealous  of  foreign  actors,  and  resented  the 
smallest  expressions  of  disrespect,  when  they  were  so  imprudent  as 
to  let  anything  of  the  kind  pass  their  lips.  Several  theatres 
exhibited  the  most  decided  marks  of  the  vengeance  of  an  offended 
people.] 

This  is  the  capital  of  the  powerful  state  of  New  York, 
and  promises  at  no  very  distant  period  to  wear  an  aspect 
worthy  its  rank.  No  situation  was  ever  chosen  better 
adapted  to  display ;  for  the  town  is  built  over  the  face  of 
a  lofty  and  steep  hill,  which  only  affords  space  for  one  or 
two  streets  about  its  foot,  and  this  is  chiefly  occupied  by 
docks  and  the  several  canal  basins  connected  with  the 
Hudson. 

The  principal  avenue,  a  regularly  built,  grandly  pro- 
portioned street,  with  a  railway  running  through  its' 
centre,  climbs  directly  up  the  hill,  and  is  terminated  by 
a  well-kept  public  square,  or  Grande  Place-,  as  the  French 
would  call  it,  about  which  the  State  House,  City  Hall, 
and  other  public  buildings  are  ranged.  These  striking 
objects,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  stand  boldly  out, 
and  have  all  an  appearance  sufficiently  imposing;  whilst 
here  are  some  buildings  that  possess  strong  claims  to 
architectural  beauty. 

Nearly  all  the  more  important  public  offices  have  lofty 
and  well  proportioned  domes ;  and  these  being  uniformly 
covered  with  tin  or  other  bright  metal,  impart  a  gay  and 
picturesque  effect  to  the  general  mass;  and  indeed,  the 
city,  viewed  from  a  little  distance,  with  all  these  cupolar 


392  Tyrone  Power's  Impressions  of  Albany. 

and  towering  domes  reflected  in  the  setting  sun,  assumes 
quite  an  oriental  appearance;  one  is  immediately  re- 
minded of  the  mosque  and  minaret  of  some  Turkish 
capital ;  the  line  marble  too  used  in  the  construction  of 
all  public  buildings,  and  indeed  of  many  private  ones, 
increases  the  effect  which  they  derive  from  their  style 
and  from  the  bold  eminence  they  occupy. 

Albany  was  long  almost  exclusively  Dutch,  and  may 
be  said  up  to  this  time  to  have  hardly  kept  pace  with  the 
rapid  advance  of  the  country  generally;  it  must  have 
marveled  at  the  spread  of  the  numerous  flourishing 
towns  which  have  grown  up  around  within  a  few  years, 
and  which  threatened  to  eclipse,  if  not  extinguish  it 
wholly.  A  movement,  however,  has  of  late  taken  place; 
the  inhabitants  have  awoke,  new  colonists  have  super- 
seded the  family  from  Sleepy-hollow,  or  imparted  to  them 
a  share  of  their  energy;  and  Albany  begins  to  assert 
her  claims  on  the  productive  country  by  which  she  is 
backed,  and  to  turn  into  her  own  channel  a  portion  of  its 
commerce.  Building  is  everywhere  going  forward;  land 
has  doubled  and  trebled  in  value;  improvements  are  in 
steady  progress  ;  and  should  the  present  prosperous 
course  of  things  meet  with  no  untoward  check  to  paralyze 
the  industry  of  the  people,  Albany  will  in  a  few  years 
assume  an  importance  more  profitable  to  its  citizens  than 
the  empty  honor  it  derives  from  being  styled  the  capital 
of  the  state. 

There  are  several  excellent  inns;  one  kept  by  an 
Englishman,  a  Mr.  Thomas,  in  which  I  dined  once  or 
twice  with  friends,  and  which  bears  a  high  reputation; 
another,  wherein  I  always  resided  on  my  several  visits 
here,  kept  by  Mr.  Cruttenden;  and  if  henceforward  any 
stranger  who  relishes  good  fare,  loves  Shakespere,  and 
would  choose  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  a  Transat- 
lantic Falstaff,  passes  through  Albany  without  calling  at 
the  Eagle,  and  cracking  a  bottle  with  "mine  host,"  he 
will  have  missed  one  of  those  days  he  would  not  have 
failed  to  mark  with  a  white  stone.  Soberly,  I  do  not 
remember  ever  to  have  met  with  a  face  and  figure 


Tyrone  Power's  Impressions  of  Albany.  393 

which,  were  I  a  painter,  I  would  so  readily  adopt  for  a 
beau-ideal  of  the  profligate  son  of  mirth  and  mischief 
as  those  of  mine  host  o'  th'  Eagle.  He  has  a  fellow 
feeling  too  with  "  lean  Jack,"  is  as  well  read  in  Shake- 
spere  as  most  good  men,  quotes  him  fluently  and 
happily,  honors  and  loves  him  as  he  should  be  loved  and 
honored,  and  in  himself  possesses  much  of  the  humor, 
much  of  the  native  wit,  but  not  a  single  trait  of  the 
less  admirable  portions  of  the  fat  knight's  character. 

Indebted  to  Mr.  Cruttenden  for  many  pleasant  hours, 
I  will  not  offer  an  excuse  for  making  this  indifferent 
sketch  of  him  here,  since  it*  in  no  way  trenches  upon  the 
rule  I  hold  sacred  of  eschewing  comment  on  private 
persons,  or  details  of  social  intercourse,  where  indeed, 
men  speak  oftener  from  the  -heart  than  from  the  head. 
Mr.  C.  I  look  upon  as  a  public  character,  and  thus  I  am 
enabled  to  say  how  much  I  esteem  him.  Should  he  be 
wroth,  I  vow,  if  I  ever  should  visit  Albany  again,  never 
to  make  one  at  the  "  Feast  of  Shells.''  On  the  contrary, 
I'll  fly  to  the  Eagle;  forswear  "the  villanous  company  "of 

mine  host;  I'll  disclaim  him,  renounce  him,  "  and  d n 

me  if  ever  I  call  him  Jack  again." 

The  theatre  here  is  a  handsome  building,  and  well 
adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  designed  ;  but  is, 
I  believe,  worse  supported  than  any  other  on  this  conti- 
nent. I  had  been  advised  not  to  visit  the  city  profes- 
sionally ;  but  being  strongly  solicited  by  the  worthy 
manager,  "  mischief  lay  in  my  way,  and  I  found  it." 

I  feel  compelled  in  honesty  to  state  the  facts  of  this 
trip,  though  no  way  flattering  to  my  powers  of  attraction: 
however,  if  there  be  any  thing  unpleasant  to  relate,  I 
ever  find  it  better  to  tell  of  oneself,  than  to  leave  it  to 
the  charity  of  good-natured  friends.  The  only  disagree- 
ment I  ever  had  with  an  audience,  in  fact,  occurred  here, 
and  roundly,  thus  it  happened. 

On  the  evening  when  I  was  advertised  to  make  my 
debut  to  an  Albany  audience,  I  at  my  usual  hour  walked 
to  the  house,  dressed,  and  was  ready;  but  when  half  an 
hour  after  the  time  of  beginning,  I  went  on  the  stage 

[Annals,  x.]  34 


394  Tyrone  Power's  Impressions  of  Albany. 

there  were  not  ten  persons  in  the  house.  The  stage 
director  and  myself  now  held  a  consultation  on  the  un- 
promising aspect  of  our  affairs.  He  ascribed  the  un- 
usually deserted  condition  of  the  salle  to  the  sultry  and 
threatening  state  of  the  atmosphere,  which  had  deterred 
the  neighboring  towns  of  Troy  and  Waterford  from 
furnishing  their  quota — those  indeed  being  his  chief 
dependencies.  I  was  opposed,  on  policy,  to  throwing 
away  our  ammunition  so  unprofitable;  and  so,  after  due 
deliberation,  the  manager  agreed  to  state  to  the  few  per- 
sons in  front,  that  "  with  their  permission"  the  perform- 
ances intended  for  this  night  would  be  postponed  until 
the  evening  after  the  next  following ;  as,  in  consequence 
of  the  exceeding  smallness  of  the  audience,  it  was  to  be 
feared  the  play  would  prove  dull  to  them,  as  it  must  be 
irksome  to  the  actors. 

Nothing  could  be  received  with  better  feeling  on  the 
part  of  the  persons  assembled;  not  a  breath  of  disappro- 
bation was  heard.  They  instantly  went  away ;  but  soon 
after  I  reached  home,  I  found,  by  the  report  of  one  or 
two  gentlemen  who  had  since  been  at  the  theatre  seeking 
admittance,  that  a  considerable  excitement  prevailed,  and 
that  at  the  public  bars  of  the  neighborhood  the  affair  was 
detailed  in  a  way  likely  to  produce  unpleasant  effects  on 
my  first  appearance. 

The  appointed  night  came,  the  house  was  filled  with 
men,  and  every  thing  foreboded  a  violent  outbreak;  the 
manager  appeared  terrified  out  of  his  wits;  but,  as  far  as 
I  can  judge,  behaved  with  infinite  honesty;  disavowed 
the  truth  of  the  imputations  connected  with  the  dismissal, 
and  which  it  was  sought  to  fasten  upon  me ;  and  affirmed 
that  he  was  fully  prepared  to  place  the  facts  simply 
before  the  audience,  in  the  event  of  my  suffering  any 
interruption. 

It  was  now  found  that  an  actor  or  two  needed  in  the 
piece  were  absent.  These  worthies,  the  chief  agitators 
in  this  affair,  were,  in  fact,  in  front  of  the  house  to  assist 
in  the  expected  assault  upon  a  stranger  and  one  of  their 
own  profession.  On  this  being  explained  to  the  manager. 


Tyrone  Power's  Impressions  of  Albany.          395 

he  said  he  was  aware  of  it.  and  had  threatened  to  dis- 
charge the  individuals;  but  relying  upon  the  affair  ter- 
minating in  my  discomfiture,  they  did  not  fear  being  sus- 
tained by  the  same  intelligence  which  they  now  directed 
against  me. 

On  my  appearance  the  din  was  mighty  deafening;  the 
volunteer  champions  of  the  public  had  come  well  prepar- 
ed, and  every  invention  for  making  the  voice  of  humanity 
bestial  was  present  and  in  full  use.  The  boxes  I  observed 
to  be  occupied  by  well-dressed  men,  who  generally  either 
remained  neutral,  or  by  signs  sought  that  I  should  be 
heard.  This,  however,  was  out  of  the  question;  and 
after  long  and  patient  abiding,  "  for  patience  is  the 
badge  of  our  tribe,"  I  made  my  bow  and  retired,  when 
the  manager,  who  had  on  the  night  in  question  dismissed 
the  house,  made  his  bow,  and,  after  silence  was  obtained, 
begged  that  the  audience  would  give  me  a  hearing, 
assuring  them  on  his  own  knowledge  that  I  had  not  con- 
templated insulting  them. 

I  again  came  forward,  and  after  some  time  was  per- 
mitted to  say  that  I  could  in  no  way  account  for  a  simple 
matter  of  business  being  so  misrepresented  as  to  occa- 
sion this  violent  exhibition  of  their  anger;  that,  before 
the  audience  in  question  was  dismissed,  its  permission 
had  been  obtained;  that,  if  I  really  contemplated  insult,  it 
is  hardly  probable  I  should  wait  two  days  to  encounter 
the  anger  to  those  I  had  sought  to  offend.  I  further  said, 
that  on  the  common  principle  which  they  professed,  I 
was  entitled  to  a  hearing,  since  the  sense  of  the  majority 
was  evidently  with  me ;  and  that,  if  the  disorder  conti- 
nued, I  should,  for  the  sake  of  that  respectable  majority, 
sincerely  regret  this,  since  the  character  of  their  city  for 
justice  and  hospitality  would  be  more  impeached  than 
my  prospects  be  injured. 

After  this  the  row  was  resumed  with  added  fierceness; 
not  a  word  of  either  play  or  farce  was  heard;  but  I  per- 
sisted in  going  through  with  the  performance,  being  de- 
termined not  to  dismiss  a  second  time. 

At  the  fall  of  the  curtain  I  begged  the  manager  would 


396  Tyrone  Power's  Impressions  of  Albany. 

not  again  announce  me,  as  although,  for  the  sake  of  the 
many  who  I  could  see  were  opposed  to  this  misjudged 
outrage,  I  had  gone  through  the  business  once,  I  could 
not  again  subject  them  to  the  annoyance  of  such  a  colli- 
sion, or  myself  to  continued  insult. 

I  was,  however,  happily  induced  to  change  this  deter- 
mination at  the  request  of  many  gentlemen  of  the  place, 
who  assured  me  that  the  whole  thing  arose  from  stories 
most  industriously  circulated  by  one  or  two  ill-condi- 
tioned actors,  backed  by  inflammatory  handbills  and  a 
scurrilous  print. 

Out  of  this  affair,  which  threatened  me  serious  annoy- 
ance, I  really  gathered  anew  proof  of  the  kindness  of  the 
people  of  this  country,  for  I  found  persons  on  all  sides 
interesting  themselves  for  me,  although  I  entered  the 
place  without  an  acquaintance;  and  had  I  not  stood  in 
need  of  help,  so  in  all  probability  should  I  have  quitted 
it;  but  in  this  hour  of  annoyance,  men  not  of  theatrical 
habits  put  themselves  actively  forward  to  shield  a  ca- 
lumniated stranger  from  insult  or  injury;  in  consequence 
of  this  interposition,  on  my  appearance,  nothing  could  be 
more  orderly  than  the  conduct  of  the  audience. 

I  concluded  my  engagement,  which  was  only  for  four 
nights,  and  left  the  theatre  with  a  promise  to  return, 
which  pledge,  at  some  inconvenience,  I  redeemed;  and  I 
have  never  been  able  to  regret  a  momentary  vexation 
which  obtained  forme  many  friends,  and  made  known  to 
me  the  sterling  good  feeling  existing  in  Albany,  of  which 
I  might  otherwise  have  remained  ignorant. 

The  rides  about  Albany  are  numerous,  the  roads  the  best 
in  the  country;  and  the  little  city  of  Troy,  with  its  Mount 
Ida,  worthy  even  the  celestial  residents  who  honored  its 
less  beautiful  predecessor  with  their  presence.  Higher  up 
lies  Waterford,  a  thriving  place,  also  charmingly  situated; 
and,  near  this,  the  Fall  of  the  Cohoes,  one  of  the  finest 
natural  objects  in  the  country.  Indeed  a  morning's  ride 
in  this  direction  offers  a  succession  of  views  that  can  no 
where  be  surpassed,  and  which  I  do  not  remember  to 
have  often  seen  equaled. 


Tyrone  Power's  Impressions  of  Albany.  397 

Approaching  Albany  from  the  west,  and  looking  across 
the  Hudson  over  the  pine-wooded  slopes  and  verdant 
meadows  on  which  it  fronts,  it  appears  a  city  bordered 
by  an  ornamental  park;  to  the  south  tower  the  cloud-cap- 
ped Catskill  mountains;  on  the  north  are  the  blue  moun- 
tains of  Vermont;  and  about  the  verge  of  the  landscape 
on  all  sides  runs  a  line  of  boldly  undulating  hills,  whose 
rugged  outline  forms  no  inappropriate  framing  to  this 
very  beautiful  picture. 


SPANISH  ACCOUNT  OF  ALBANY  IN  1778. 

[From  Noticia  del  E*tablecimiento  y  Poblacion  de  las  Colonias  In- 
glesas  en  America  Septentrional.     By  Don  F.  Alvarez.] 

The  county  of  Albany  is  near  the  Indian  plantations 
that  extend  hence  to  Canada.  The  city  of  this  name  is 
in  the  midst  of  fine  plantations,  is  well  situated  for  com- 
merce and  formerly  bore  the  name  of  Fort  Orange.  The 
greater  part  of  the  inhabitants  are  of  Holland  origin  and 
number  three  hundred  families.  In  this  city  the  govern- 
ors of  other  places  of  New  England  hold  regularly  their 
conferences  with  the  sachems  or  Indian  kings.  Albany 
is  defended  by  a  fine  stone  fort  and  supports  a  garrison  of 
two  companies. 

There  is  also  in  this  county  another  city  called  Sche- 
nectady,  situated  twenty  miles  further  to  the  north,  and 
in  a  most  delightful  valley.  The  Indian  nations  who 
dwell  a  little  distance  beyond  this  city  have  hitherto  re- 
tained their  lands. 


(  398  ) 


CENSUS  OF  ALBANY  COUNTY. 


1840. 

From  the  copies  of  the  statistical  returns  of  the  late 
census  of  this  state,  presented  to  the  assembly  by  the 
marshals  of  the  northern  and  southern  districts,  wo 
have  compiled  the  following  table  of  the  population,  pro- 
ductions, trade,  manufactures,  &c.,  of  this  county. 

The  population  of  Albany  county  is  68,546,  of  whom 
8,278  are  employed  in  agriculture,  422  in  commerce, 
3,705  in  trades  and  manufactures,  34  in  navigation  of 
the  ocean,  310  on  the  canals  and  rivers,  and  367  in  the 
learned  professions  and  as  engineers. 

Of  the  productions,  &c.,  of  the  county  for  the  past 
year,  and  the  number  of  persons  employed  and  capital 
invested  in  each  branch  of  industry,  the  following  is  a 
summary : 

Jlm^t  or  value    No,  of  men     Capital 
produced.          employed,     invested. 
Mines  of  granite,  marble  and  other 

stone, $372,250          844        $273,600 

Machinery, 35,000  14 

Hardware,  cutlery,  &c., 15,000  25 

Small  arms,  number  made, 2,500  35 

Precious  metals, 45,000  28 

Various  metals, 423,000          186 

Manufacture   of  granite,   marble, 

&c., 82,270          159 

Bricks  and  lime, 63,185          133  191,000 

Fulling   mills  11,  woolen  manu- 

facturies  8,  manufactured  woolen 

goods, . . , 90,720  67  111,550 

Cotton   manufactories  V2,   no.    of 

spindles    5,160,    manufactured 

cotton  goods, 70,000          220  225 ,000 

Mixed  manufactures, 33,000  30  35,000 

Tobacco, 162,000  95  34,000 

Hats,  caps  and  bonnets, 787,500          782  669,800 

No.  of  tanneries  20, 142  210,700 


Census  of  Albany  County. 


399 


No.  of  saddleries  and  manufacto- 
ries of  leather  80, $  329,450  $  149^65 

Soap  and  candles,* 538,000            45            122,000 

Breweries  8,  distilled  and  ferment- 
ed liquors, 2,007,500gal.  130            357,000 

Drugs,     medicines,     paints    and 

dyes, 33,000            23              39,300 

Potteries  4,  value  of  manufactured 

articles, 42,000         -43              19,000 

Confectionery, 42,000            27              16,000 

Paper, 23,000            15                 6,200 

Rope- walks  5,  val.  of  produce,. . .  130,000            75               31,000 

Musical  Instruments, 47,500            61              31,000 

Carriages  and  wagons, .'.  157,511          272            132,115 

Flouring  mills  6,  grist  mills   22, 
saw   mills   84,  barrels  of  flour 

manufactured, 11,482 

Other   manufactures, 57,575            77              90,205 

Furniture, 88,400            68              43,600 

All  other  manufactures  not  enu- 
merated   383,749                          143,690 

Live  Stock.— 9,937  horses  and  mules,  25,780  neat 
cattle,  57,491  sheep,  49,068  swine,  poultry  of  all  kinds, 
estimated  value  $25,650. 

Cereal  Grain.— 21, 008  bushels  of  wheat,  157,102 
bushels  of  barley,  653,794  bushels  of  oats,  144,941  bush- 
els of  rye,  100,492  bushels  of  buckwheat,  127,154  bushels 
of  Indian  corn. 

Various  Crops.— 96,877  Ibs.  of  wool,  373  Ibs.  of  hops, 
1,368  Ibs.  of  wax,  540,582  bushels  of  potatoes,  47,342 
tons  of  hay,  5,407  tons  of  hemp  and  flax. 

Other  Productions. — 24,366  Ibs.  of  sugar,  17,491  cords 
of  wood  sold,  value  of  dairy  produce  $126,343,  value  of 


*  The  amount  set  down  for  Albany  in  the  statement  published,  is 
639,000  Ibs.  of  soap  and  candles,  which  is  20,000  less  than  the 
amount  of  hard  soap  alone  made  in  three  factories  in  the  north  part 
of  the  city,  besides  110,000  Ibs  of  candles  and  fancy  soap.  The 
whole  amount  of  soap  and  candles  ma8e  in  the  city,  can  not  be  less 
than  1,936,010  pounds— or  1,330,000  Ibs.  soap,  and  606,000  Ibs.  of 
candles.  There  are  12  factories,  employing  about  60  men.  By 
publishing  the  above,  you  will  correct  a  very  erroneous  opinion 
which  has  gone  abroad,  about  the  amount  of  business  done,  in  this 
line,  and  oblige  yours,  respectfully,  A  Manufacturer. 


400  Census  of  Albany  County. 

orchard  produce  $33,012,  value  of  home-made  goods, 
$60,386. 

Gardens. — Value  of  produce  of  market  gardeners 
$62,503,  of  nurseries  and  florists  $5,700,  men  employed 
113. 

Commerce. — Number  of  commission  houses  47,  capital 
invested  $65,000,  number  of  retail  dry  goods,  grocery 
and  other  stores  1,116,  capital  invested  $1,144,503,  num- 
ber of  lumber  yards  27,  capital  invested  $464,000,  men 
employed  161,  internal  transportation,  men  employed 
1,655. 

Printing  and  Binding. — Number  of  printing  offices  10, 
number  of  binderies  5,  number  of  daily  newspapers 
30.000,  number  of  weekly  newspapers  40,000,  number  of 
semi  weekly  newspapers  20,000,  number  of  men  em- 
ployed 126,  capital  invested  $245,800. 


(401  ) 


NOTICES  OF  THE  WINTERS 

AT  NEW  YORK  FOR  FORTY-TWO  YEARS,  AND  OF  THE  DATES 
AT  WHICH  THE  RIVER  WAS  FROZEN,  OR  OBSTRUCTED  OR 
CLOSED  BY  ICE  AT  ALBANY. 

From  the  New  York  Daily  Advertiser  of  Dec.,  1832. 

[It  will  be  seen  on  reference  to  the  table  given  in  Vol. 
1,  p.  326,  that  the  agreement  is  very  general.  The 
remarks  on  the  state  of  the  weather  require  an  allow- 
ance for  latitude  in  regard  to  the  thermometer,  otherwise 
the  difference  between  the  two  cities  was  small.] 

1789-90.  A  very  mild  winter.  The  mildest  January 
since  1781.  River  open  till  3d  February,  though  occa- 
sionally obstructed  by  ice  before. 

1790-91.  Very  severe  weather  in  December,  but  more 
moderate  in  January  and  February.  River  closed  on 
the  8th  December. 

1791-92.  A  very  severe  winter.  River  closed  on  9th 
December;  uninterrupted  and  severe  frost  for  4  weeks; 
lowest  degree  of  thermometer  1  above  zero. 

1792-93.  A  very  mild  winter;  river  open  all  winter  to 
Poughkeepsie,  though  it  closed  at  Albany  on  the  12th 
December.  , 

1793-94.  A  mild  winter,  with  but  little  snow;  river 
closed  on  26th  December. 

1794-95.  A  very  mild  autumn  and  December;  river 
closed  on  the  12th  January;  no  ice  till  3d  January,  and 
but  little  cold  weather  and  snow  this  winter. 

1795-96.  Another  very  mild  autumn  and  December; 
no  ice  till  21st  December;  river  open  till  23d  January. 

1796-97.  Early  winter  and  severe  till  12th  January; 
river  closed  on  28th  November,  intensely  cold  on  23d 
and  24th  December ;  mercury  at  zero  in  the  morning. 


402  Notices  of  the  Winters. 

1797-98.  Very  early  and  severe  winter;  river  closed 
on  20th  November ;  lowest  degree  3  above  zero. 

1798-9&  Very  early,  long,  and  severe  winter,  though 
the  weather  was  moderate  for  about  three  weeks  in 
January;  river  closed  on  23d  November;  lowest  degree 
2  above  zero. 

1799-1800.  A  mild  winter;  river  closed  on  6th  Janua- 
ry, but  obstructed  by  ice  before. 

1800-01.  A  mild  winter,  with  but  little  snow;  a  very 
mild  December,  river  closed  on  3d  January. 

1801-02.  A  remarkably  mild  winter;  river  open  till 
3d  February,  though  obstructed  by  ice  occasionally 
before.  In  January  the  mercury  generally  ranged  be- 
tween 40  and  50  degrees;  and  no  snow  of  any  consequence 
fell  till  22d  February. 

1802-03.  A  mild  and  variable  winter  with  but  little 
snow;  river  closed  on  16th  December. 

1803-04.  A  very  mild  December;  some  severe 
weather  and  deep  snows  in  January  and  the  latter  part 
of  February;  river  open  till  12th  January;  lowest  degree, 
12  above  zero. 

1804-05.  A  remarkably  cold  and  variable  winter,  deep 
snows  and  heavy  rains  with  high  winds;  lowest  degree, 
2  above  zero;  river  closed  on  13th  December — much 
distress  among  the  poor. 

1805-06.  Generally  cold  in  January;  though  very 
mild  in  December  and  February;  river  closed  9th 
January,  and  opened  on  23d  February. 

1806-07.  A  severe  winter;  river  closed  on  llth  De- 
cember; lowest  degree,  4  above  zero. 

1807-08.  A  mild  winter;  December  very  mild;  river 
closed  on  4th  January. 

1808-09.  A  long  and  severe  winter,  with  much  snow; 
river  closed  on  9th  December;  lowest  degree,  6  above 
zero. 

1809-10.  Remarkably  mild  till  19th  January,  when 
the  river  closed,  and  the  weather  was  intensely  cold  for 
several  days;  very  little  snow  this  winter;  lowest  de- 
gree, 1  above  zero. 


Notices  of  the  Winters.  403 

1810-11.  Much  snow  in  February,  though  not  much 
severe  cold  this  winter..  This  season  was  remarkable 
for  a  severe  snow  storm  on  the  2d  November;  river 
closed  on  the  14th  December. 

1811-12.  A  severe  winter;  river  closed  on  the  20th 
December;  lowest  degree,  2  above  zero. 

1812-13.  A  severe  winter;  river  closed  on  21st  De- 
cember; lowest  degree,  4  above  zero. 

1813-14.  A  severe  winter;  river  closed  on  22d  De- 
cember; lowest  degree,  8  above  zero. 

1814-15.  A  very  severe  jthough  variable  winter;  river 
closed  on  10th  December;  lowest  degree,  1  above  zero. 

1815-16.  A  variable  though  not  severe  winter;  river 
closed  on  the  2d  December. 

1816-17.  A  very  severe  winter,  though  it  did  not  set 
in  till  the  middle  of  January;  river  closed  on  16th  De- 
cember; thermometer  on  15th  February  was  6  degrees 
below  zero,  and  the  first  time  since  1788  that  it  has 
fallen  below  zero  in  this  city.  As  cold  as  in  January, 
1765,  when  the  mercury  sunk  to  the  same  degree;  which 
the  papers  state  to  have  been  the  coldest  weather  expe- 
rienced in  this  city  in  50  years. 

1817-18.  Generally  moderate  in  December  and  Jan- 
uary, though  severe  in  February;  river  closed  on  7th 
December,  opened  on  14th  and  closed  again  on  21st  De- 
cember; mercury  fell  to  zero  this  winter. 

1818-19.  Severe  weather  for  two  weeks  in  December; 
river  closed  on  the  14th ;  generally  very  mild  in  January 
and  February. 

1819-20.  A  severe  winter;  deep  snows;  river  closed 
on  13th  December,  though  obstructed  by  ice  before; 
lowest  degree,  3  above  zero. 

1820-21.  Intensely  severe  weather  during  the  greater 
part  of  January,  though  mild  in  February,  river  closed 
on  the  13th  November,  opened  on  the  20th  and  closed 
again  on  1st  December;  the  mercury  fell  on  the  25th 
January  to  7  degrees  below  zero,  one  degree  lower  than 
in  February,  1817;  as  cold  weather  probably  as  was 
ever  experienced  here.  The  Hudson  was  crossed  on  the 


404  Notices  of  the  Winters. 

ice  between  this  city  and  Paulus  Hook  for  several  days. 
During  the  last  hundred  years^the  river  has  been  passa- 
ble on  the  ice  in  the  same  way  only  four  times,  viz:  in 
1740-41,  1764-65,  1779-80,  1820-21. 

1821-22.  A  severe  winter  with  but  little  snow;  river 
closed  on  13th  December;  mercury  as  low  as  1  below 
zero. 

1822-23.  No  very  severe  weather  till  February  and 
March,  river  closed  on  24th  December;  lowest  degree,  3 
above  zero.  , 

1823-24.  Very  mild  winter;  river  closed  on  16th  De- 
cember; open  in  January  for  a  short  time. 

1824-25.  Mild  winter  with  but  little  snow;  river 
closed  on  3d  January. 

1825-26.  Weather  generally  very  mild,  though  there 
were  two  or  three  excessively  cold  .days  this  winter. 
December  14th  was  a  remarkably  cold  day;  thermometer 
at  8  a.  m.  3  and  10  p.  m.  indicated  2,  7,  and  9  degrees; 
river  closed  on  13th  December. 

1826-27.  A  severe  winter;  river  closed  on  24th  Dec., 
lowest  degree,  3  above  zero. 

1827-28.  A  very  cold  and  blustering  November,  fol- 
lowed by  the  mildest  winter  since  1801-02  ;  river  closed 
only  about  three  weeks  at  different  times  through  the 
winter.  The  mildest  February  since  1778-79,  when 
vegetation  commenced  and  flowers  were  gathered  in  the 
woods,  and  in  Pennsylvania  peach  trees  blossomed  in 
this  month. 

1828-29.  A  long,  severe  winter;  river  closed  on  1st 
January  and  opened  on  29th  March;  lowest  degree,  6£ 
below  zero.  Much  suffering  among  the  poor  in  February. 

1829-30.  Weather  generally  mild  till  23d  January, 
when  the  river  closed;  weather  then  very  severe  for 
several  weeks.  As  much  ice  in  our  harbor  as  in  1826, 
1827;  lowest  degree,  3  above  zero. 

1830-31.  A  very  severe  winter  with  several  deep 
snows ;  ground  covered  with  snow  from  6th  January  to 
28th  February,  a  longer  period  than  in  any  winter  since 
1808-09.  Severe  and  uninterrupted  frost  for  upward  of 


Notices  of  the  Winters.  405 

five  weeks,  during  which  time  there  were  but  three  days 
in  which  the  mercury  rose  as  high  as  the  freezing  point; 
lowest  degree,  5  above  zero.  Much  distress  among  the 
poor — river  closed  on  23d  December,  opened  again  by 
heavy  rains  and  closed  again  on  16th  January. 

1831.  December  10th — Thus  far  the  coldest  December 
since  1786;  lowest  degree,  14  above  zero;  river  closed 
on  3d  December. 


[Annals,  x.]  35 


(406) 


ANNALS  OF  THE  YEAR  1858. 


JANUARY. 

4.  Levi  Cornell  died,   aged  60 Curtis  De  Forrest 

died,  aged  90. 

5.  Mild  and  pleasant  weather;  there  had  been  no  win- 
ter day  to  this  time John  Hillabrant  died,  aged  28. 

Horace  F.  Douglass  died,  aged  32. 

6.  Snow  began  to  fall  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning, 

and  made  the  first  sleighing  of  the  winter Anna  Maria, 

wife  of  George  L.  Hall  died,  aged  29. 

7.  The  steam  boat  Hero  arrived  from  New  York  with 
the  largest  cargo   of  freight   she  had   ever  brought  up. 
Notwithstanding  the  snow  that  fell  on  the  previous  day 
there  was  very  little  obstruction  in  the  river  from  ice. 

Stephen  S.  Weaver  died,   aged  59 John  Dey  Ermand 

died,  aged  37 George  Talmadge  died,  aged  38. 

8.  Thermometers  marked  from  2  deg.  to  7  deg.  below 
0;  the  first  cold  day  of  the  season.     The  ferry  boats 

were  partially  obstructed  by  ice John  Upton  died  at 

Amsterdam  and  was  brought  to  Albany  for  interment. 

9.  Jasper  Latham  died,  aged  50. 
11.  John  T.  Elton  died. 

16.  Adaline  Van  Rensselaer  died J.  Stanley  Smith, 

formerly  editor  of  the  American  Citizen  and  Albany 
Morning  Express,  died  at  Auburn,  aged  40.  His  remains 
were  brought  to  Albany  and  interred  at  the  Rural  ceme- 
tery with  masonic  ceremonies. 

18.  Thomas  Johnson  died,  aged  58. 

19.  Margaret,  wife  of  Daniel  Webster,  died,  aged  29. 

20.  Grand  military  parade  in  winter  dress  of  the  Bur- 
gesses Corps  and  their  guests  the   Troy  Citizens  Corps 
and  Utica  Citizens  Corps,  and  Company  B  and  their  New 
York  guests  the  71st  Regiment.     No  winter  day  was  ever 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  407 

more  beautiful,  and  the  fete  went  off  with  great  eclat, 
being  witnessed  by  a  great  throng  of  people. 

2 1.  An  exhibition  of  paintings  and  sculpture  from  the 
collections  of  citizens  was  opened  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor  at  Bleecker  Hall.  (See  April  3.) 

22.  Phebe,  widow  of  P.  A.  Cummings,  died,  aged  36. 
William  Kennedy  died,  aged  57. 

25.  John  J.  Taaffe  died,  aged  43 Jacob  Lux  died, 

aged  78. 

Jan.  27.  Thomas  Rector  died, 

29.  The  body  of  Capt..  Joseph  Bilbroock,  aged  28, 
drowned  about  two  months  previously  at  Piermont,  was 
found  and  brought  to  the  city  for  interment. 

31.  George  Monroe  died,  aged  39. 

FEBRUARY. 

1.  Mrs.  Andrew  Smith  died,  aged  47 Mary,  wife  of 

Peter  Ausbro,  died. 

2.  Nicholas  Wallace  died,  aged  65. 

3.  Peter  Cox  died,  aged  52. 

5.  Mrs.  Mary  Forrester  died,  aged  52 Francis  Gal- 

logly  died,  aged  33. 

8.  Harriet,  wife  of  Hugh  Adair,  died,  aged  26. 

10.  John  C.  Ruby  died,  aged  61 Helen  J.,  wife  of 

J.  W.  Richardson,  died,  aged  26. 

11.  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Prior,  died,  aged  36. 

12.  Mrs.  Magdalen  Campbell  died,  aged  49. 

13.  Andrew  B.  Briare  died,  aged  41. 

14.  Charles  M.  B.  Jay  died,  aged  27 John  T.  Net- 

terville  died  in  New  York,  aged  28. 

16.  Peter  Smith  died,  aged  66.     He  was  born  in  Banff- 

shire,  Scotland,  1792,  and  came  to  Albany  in  1816 

John  Bowne  died,  aged  68. 

17.  G.  V.  Denniston  died  in  New  York,  aged  about  32. 
Ann,  wife  of  James  Turner,  died,  aged  52. 

19.  The  7th  of  a  succession  of  cold  days.  Thermome- 
ters from  5  to  10  deg.  below  zero Sarah  E.,  wife  of 

George  Smith,  died,   aged  21 Richard  Bulger  died, 


408  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

aged  45,  and  was  buried  on  the  21st  with  military  and 
civic  honors. 

21.  Amos  Fassett  died,  aged  75.     He  was  a  native  of 
New  Bedford,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Albany  in  1808.     He 
had  been  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  forty 
years,  and  during  the  last  twenty-six  years  an  elder. 

22.  The  anniversary  of  Washington's  birthday  was 

celebrated  by  the  military  with  great  effect Andrew 

W.  Melius  died,  aged  64 Patrick  Galvin  died,  aged 

95.... The   common   council   resolved  to  excavate  and 

grade  the  Washington  parade  ground William  Henry 

Cross  died,  aged  21 Christina,  widow  of  Jacob  Lux, 

died,  aged  68. 

24.  Daniel  P.  Clark  died,   aged  69.     Mr.  C.  came  to 
this  city  in  the   year  1805.     Soon  after  his  arrival  he 
united  himself  with  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  then 
under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Romeyn.     He  after- 
wards joined  the  2d  Presbyterian  church,   and  in  1820 
was  elected  a  deacon,    and  served   the   church   in   that 
capacity  until  the  year  1840,   when  he  was  chosen  one 
of  its  elders,   which  office  he  held  to  the  time  of  his 
death.     His  demise  was   made  the    subject  of  a  most 
appropriate    and   eloquent   discourse   by   the   Rev.  Dr. 
Sprague,  his  text  being,  "He  was  a  good  man."     The 
Dr.  concluded  his  discourse  by  remarking,  that  of  all 
who  were  officers  of  the  church  when  he  entered  upon 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  not  one  was  now  left,  Mr.  C. 
having  been   the  last  survivor.     He  also  remarked  that 
of  those  who  were  members  of  the  church  at  the  time  he 
assumed  its  pastoral  charge,  nearly  all  were  slumbering 

in  the  tomb! Elmira  C.,  wife  of  Jacob   J.  Deforest, 

died,  aged  42. 

25.  Patrick    Hoy  died,   aged    56 Capt.    Abraham 

Hitchcock  died  in  New  York,  aged  47 Mrs.  Elizabeth 

Montgomery  died,  aged  85. 

27.  James  Mahon  died,  aged  34. 

28.  Jane,  widow  of  Obadiah  Lansing,  died,  aged  70. .. 
John  Jones  died,  88. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  409 

MARCH. 

1.  Julia  Ann,  wife  of  E.  C.  Warner,  died,  aged  46. 

2.  William  Leslie  died,  aged  35 Charles  Richard 

Meade,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  in  New  Orleans,  aged  35. 

4.  Dennis  Shevlin  died,  aged   38. ..  .Thermometer  3 
deg.  below  0,  at  an  early  hour. 

5.  A  fire  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  burnt  a  frame 
building  in  North  Broadway,  occupied  by  a  shoe  dealer. 
Thermometer  4  deg.  below  0,  at  an  early  hour. 

6.  Jeremiah  Luther  died,  aged  75 Thermometer  3 

de?.  below  0,  at  an  early  nour. 

7.  Gertrude,  widow  of  James  A.  Coughtry,  died,  aged 
58. 

8.  Edward  W.  Netterville  died,  aged  20. 

9.  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Alexander  Marvin,  died,  aged  57. 
The  old  scheme  of  a  ship  canal  was  revived  in  the  legis- 
lature, by  which  it  was  proposed  by  the  aid  of  $1,500,000 
to  unite  Albany  and  New  Baltimore,  and  thus  circumvent 
the  overslaugh. 

10.  William  Masten  died,  aged  54. 

12.  Zara  Wilber  died,  aged  88. 

13.  Charlotte  M.,  wife  of  George  Nash,  died,  aged  53. 

14.  Mrs.  Mary  Roark  died,  aged  88. 

15.  William  Matthews  died,  aged  42 Margaret, 

wife  of  Richard  Rhatigan,  died,  aged  22. 

16.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Myron  died,  aged  27. 

17.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ki'dd   died,  aged  28 Jane  Ken- 
nedy, widow  of  Joseph  P.  Briare,  died,  aged  38 The 

ice   in  the  river  moved  down  at  night,  and   left  an  open 

area  for  home  navigation Robert  Blake  died,  aged  66. 

Joseph  Kane  died,  aged  87. 

18.  David   Mclntosh,   formerly  of  this    city,    died  at 
Aberfeldy,  Scotland. 

19.  James  McCaffery  died,  aged  64 Douglass  For- 

syth  died,  aged  41. 

20.  The    New  World   steam  boat   arrived   from    New 

York,  the  first  boat  of  the  season Jacob  Lansing  died, 

aged  68.     He  was  born  December  17th,  1782,  in  the  old 


410  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

Dutch  house  on  the  north-east  corner  of  North  Pearl  and 
Columbia  streets.  He  was  descended  from  a  long  line 
of  Holland  ancestry  His  grandfathers,  Colonel  Henry 
Quackenbush  and  Colonel  Jacob  J.  Lansing,  were  patri- 
ots in  the  Revolution,  and  commanded  regiments  at  the 
battles  of  Stillwater  and  Saratoga,  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  Burgoyne.  Col.  Quackenbush  was  also  at  one 
time  chairman  of  the  Albany  committee  of  safety,  during 
the  Revolutionary  war.  Judge  Lansing  received  the  first 
rudiments  of  his  education  at  the  Granville  academy, 
Washington  county,  in  this  state,  and  afterwards  entered 
Middlebury  college,  Vt.,  where  he  graduated  with  dis- 
tinguished honors.  Shortly  after  his  return  to  the  resi- 
dence of  his  grandfather — it  being  the  present  ancient 
Dutch  mansion  still  standing  at  the  corner  of  Broadway 
and  Quackenbush  street  in  this  city — the  war  of  1812 
broke  out  with  Great  Britain,  and  he  was  commis- 
sioned, by  Governor  Daniel  D.Tompkins,  as  quarter- 
master of  the  12th  regiment,  New  York  state  troops, 
commanded  by  Col.  John  T.  Van  Dalson.  He  proceeded 
with  his  regiment  to  Sackett's  Harbor,  and  continued  in 
the  service  until  it  was  disbanded.  On  his  return  to  this 
city,  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  office  of 
Philip  S.  Parker,  in  Lion  street,  now  Washington  ave- 
nue, and  was  afterwards  duly  admitted  to  practice.  He 
took  an  active  part  in  politics,  on  the  democratic  side,  in 
the  great  political  contests  of  those  days.  In  1828  he 
was  appointed  judge  of  the  Albany  common  pleas,  and 
continued  in  the  office  until  1838,  when  he  was  appointed 
first  judge  of  said  court.  During  his  term  of  office,  the 
decisions  of  that  court  were  highly  respected.  As  a  pre- 
siding magistrate,  he  was  impartial,  honest  and  capable, 
and  gave  character  to  the  bench.  Early  in  life  he  be- 
came a  professor  of  religion,  and  united  himself  with 
the  Middle  Dutch  church,  and  to  the  time  of  his  death 
was  always  noted  as  being  a  most  devoted  follower  of 
Christ.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  was  highly  honored 
and  respected,  and  very  few  men  indeed,  could  claim  the 
respect  of  so  wide  a  circle  of  acquaintances  and  friends. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  411 

20.  R.  M.  Condon  died,  aged  54. 

21.  Harperd  V.  D.  Van  Epps  died,  aged  47. 

22.  Francis  Donnelly  died,  aged  70. 

23.  Joachim  Bernard  Garling  died,  aged  84. 

24.  Caroline  M.,  wife  of  Henry  J.  Wells,  died,  aged  24. 

26.  A  high    wind   unroofed   and   otherwise   damaged 
buildings. 

27.  Judith  Hotchkiss  died,  aged  80. 

28.  Mary,  wife  of  John  Campbell,  died,  aged  65. 

30.  Charles  Sharts  died  at  St.  Louis,  aged  40,  formerly 
of  Albany. 

31.  Nancy,  widow  of  Wm.  McBride,  died. 

APRIL. 

3.  The  exhibition  of  paintings  and  sculpture  from  the 
collections  of  our  citizens  and  artists,  generously  loaned 
for  the  benefit  of  the  poor,  and  opened  in  January,  was 
closed  on  this  day.     The  receipts  were  $1,093-50;  ex- 
penses $392  93;  net  proceeds  $700-57.     The  distribution 
afforded  relief  by  provisions,  coal,  clothing  and  money  to 
290  families  and  in  850  instances,  which  was  disbursed 
by  the  hand  of  the  Rev.  David  Dyer. 

4.  Charles  Gay  died,  aged  44 Cornelius  H.  Dubois 

died,    aged  46 Catharine  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Robert 

Emmet,  Jr.,  and  daughter  of  Augustus  James,  late  of 
Albany,  died  at  Rhinebeck. 

5.  Charlotte  Seton,  wife  of  John  Tayler  Cooper,  and 
daughter  of  the  late  John  V.  Henry,  died. 

7.  A  fire   was   discovered    and  subdued  in  Hamilton 
street  above  Dove McKinney  Conger  died. 

10.  Sarah  A.  E  ,  wife  of  Thomas  Morton,  died,  aged  39. 

11.  Charlotte  Elizabeth  Andrews,   wife   of  John  P. 
Jones,  died  at  Monticello,  N.  Y.,  aged  66.     She  was  three 
years  a  teacher  in  the   Albany  Female  Seminary,  and 
eleven  years  in  the  Female  Academy,  and  was  one  of  the 
three  ladies  who  were  principally  instrumental  in  laying 
the  foundation  of  the  Orphan  Asylum. 

12.  John  Kilbourne  died,  aged  33. . .  .Peter  Evers  died, 
aged  41 Margaret  Payden  died,  aged  75. 


412  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

13.  Marietta  Fenouelle  died,  aged  60 At  the  annual 

charter  election  Eli  Perry  was  elected  mayor,  by  a  vote 
of  4,699;  Dr.  J.  P.  Quackenbush  received  4,601. 

14.  Mrs.  Mary  Woods  died,  aged  64. 

16.  John  Ogden  Dey  died James  M.  Hunt  died  at 

Santa  Fe,  said  to  have  been  a  resident  of  this  city. 

17.  Laura  A.,  wife  of  Thos.  J.  Brown,  and  daughter 
of  Edwin  Croswell,  died  in  New  York,  aged  32. 

19.  Edward  Storey  died,  aged  21 Francis  P.  Dix 

died,  aged  27 Daniel  Sayre  died,  aged  39. 

21.  Thomas  McGuire  died,  aged  32 John  T.  Pruyn 

died. 

23.  Cornelius  Carroll  died,  aged  77. 

25.  The  hay  scales  corner  of  Plain  and  Philip  streets 

were  burnt Augustus  J.  Tiffany,  who  kept  what  was 

called  the  City  Hotel,  died,  aged  84 George  W.  Palmer 

died,  aged  34 A  fire  was  discovered  on  the  roof  of  a 

house  in  Van  Schaick  street;  damage  slight. 

27.  William   McMullen   died,   aged    38 A   formal 

transfer  of  the  Arsenal  property  was  made  by  the  state 
to  the  city  in  exchange  for  the  lot  corner  of  Eagle  and 
Hudson   streets,   where   it   was   proposed   to  erect  an 
arsenal. 

28.  John  Van  Zandt  died,  aged  91.     He  was  a  native 
of  Albany,  and  in  his  boyhood  heard  the  firing  of  cannon 
at  Saratoga  from  the  walls  of  Fort  Frederick  in  State 
street.     He  was  a  trusty   clerk  in   the   store   of  James 
Caldwell  for  a  number  of  years.     In  1804  he  entered  the 
Bank  of  Albany  as  a  clerk;  in  1814  he  became  cashier, 
which  office  he  held  until  1838,  when  he  resigned  with  a 
competency,  but  continued  in  the  directory  of  the  bank 
till  his  death.     From  newspaper  notices  we  gather  the 
following  facts  in  relation   to  his  personal  history:  Mr. 
Van  Zandt  was  born  in  1767,  and  his  retentive  memory 
brought  down  to  this  day  reminiscences  of  the  revolu- 
tionary age,  and  of  the  troubled  times  that  preceded  it, 
that  were  full  of  interest.     He  was  one  of  the  old  Holland 
race — though  his  father  and  grandfather  were  both  born 
in  Albany — whose  language  and  customs  prevailed  here 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  413 

long  after  the  revolutionary  era,  and  are  only  now  be- 
coming extinct.  His  father,  John  Van  Zandt,  resided 
on  the  east  side  of  Union  street — Hudson  street  park. 
His  mother,  Mary  Brooks,  was  of  highly  respectable 
English  family,  well  known  in  this  city.  In  youth,  Mr. 
Van  Zandt  was  for  a  short  time  in  a  banking  house  in 
New  York,  before  the  first  bank  was  incorporated.  While 
there  he  often  saw  Washington  and  his  associates.  After 
this  (in  the  year  of  Shays's  war)  James  Caldwell  put  him 
and  another  young  man,  Mr.  Mynderse,  in  charge  of  a 
country  retail  store,  at  Btnnington,  Vt.  At  that  time, 
Troy  was  scarcely  a  village,  and  the  way  to  Bennington 
was  mostly  through  an  unbroken  forest.  While  residing 
at  Bennington,  he  became  acquainted  with  and  married 
Mehetabel  Jones,  of  Williamstown,  Mass.,  a  most  estima- 
ble lady,  and  again  became  a  resident  of  Albany,  With 
her  he  enjoyed  domestic  happiness  and  tranquillity,  in  an 
eminent  degree,  till  by  her  death  they  were  separated, 
when  he  was  about  74  years  of  age.  To  these  habits  of 
life,  and  being  strictly  temperate,  he  always  attributed 
his  good  health  and  contented,  happy  old  age — not  con- 
scious of  having  harmed  any  man  in  life.  He  retained, 
till  a  great  age,  an  accurate  memory  of  the  events  of  his 
early  life.  He  well  remembered  hearing  the  signal  gun 
fired  from  the  top  of  the  old  Schuyler  mansion,  when  the 
Indians  in  the  night  came  in  the  rear  way,  through  the 
corn  field  and  garden,  entering  the  back  door  and  sur- 
prising General  Schuyler  and  a  few  friends  who  were 
spending  the  evening  with  him.  The  signal  gun  rallied 
the  people  and  frightened  the  Indians,  causing  them  to 
make  their  retreat  with  but  little  booty.  He  was  walking 
on  the  ramparts  of  Fort  Frederick  {which  reared  its  de- 
fence in  State  street,  just  south  of  St.  Peter's  church)  at 
the  very  time  of  the  battle  of  Saratoga,  and  heard  the 
noise  of  the  cannonade.  He  asked  a  soldier,  who  was  with 
him,  if  this  could  be  so,  and  the  soldier  confirmed  it,  as 
they  were  at  a  height  where  the  strong  north-east  wind, 
then  blowing,  could  bear  the  sound  uninterrupted.  He  re- 
membered also  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  and  the  march- 


414  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

ing  of  the  captured  Hessians  through  Albany,  and  was  a 
witness  of  the  most  memorable  journey  ever  made  into  the 
old  war-worn  city  of  Albany.  He  was  a  boy,  engaged  at 
play  on  the  wharf  which — one  of  the  few  that  existed— 
was  built  out  at  the  foot  of  the  present  State  street.  The 
boys  were  told  that  a  company  of  horsemen  were  coming 
down  Market  street,  and  that  one  of  them  was  General 
Schuyler.  He  ran  up  to  the  street  to  see  the  group. 
There  rode  a  company  of  gentlemen  on  horseback,  in  an 
easy,  familiar,  companionable  way,  one  of  whom  was 
Philip  Schuyler,  and  another  John  Burgoyne.  He  saw 
the  Indians  gathered  in  State  street  above  the  old  Dutch 
church,  to  receive  their  annuity,  and  exhibiting  their 
dances,  and  meeting  in  a  desultory  council,  to  the  edifi- 
cation of  the  Albanians.  They  were  seated  for  the  pur- 
pose of  enumeration  on  the  sidewalk,  and  the  line  extended 
from  the  church  to  the  present  locality  of  Pearl  street, 
and  it  was  a  policy  greatly  wondered  at  by  the  multitude, 
that  the  distribution  was  made  per  capita,  the  little 
strapped-up  papoose  receiving  as  much  as  the  old  war- 
chief  who,  probably,  could  have  entertained  the  Albanians 
with  curious  statistics  concerning  the  scalps  of  many  of 
their  ancestors.  He  recollected  that  from  the  wagons 
pressed  into  the  service,  as  they  were  engaged  in  trans- 
porting ammunition,  which  had  been  landed  from  the 
sloops  at  King's  wharf,  the  cannon  balls  dropped  into  the 
wretched  roadway,  and  men  engaged  under  impressment 
did  not  pause  to  gather  up  their  work.  He  repeatedly 
saw  men  executed  in  Albany,  under  the  decision  and 
direction  of  the  committee  of  safety,  for  being  tories  or 
cow  boys,  or  highway  robbers;  and  for  the  lighter  offences 
the  whipping  post  was  resorted  to.  He  had  the  habits 
of  the  race.  Integrity,  resoluteness,  economy,  aversion 
to  change  and  to  show,  and  strong  local  attachment. 
Tranquil,  unambitious,  devoid  of  care,  he  prolonged  his 
life,  without  disease,  his  faculties  unclouded,  until  the 
few  last  days  of  his  life. 

30.  William  N.  Staats  died,  aged  78 William  Good- 
son  died,  aged  27. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  415 

MAY. 

1.  The  steam  boat  New  World  brought  up  from  New- 
York  500  tons  of  freight,  the  charges  on  which,  with  the 
passage  money,  &c.,  was  over  $2,200.     This  is  believed 
to  have  been  the  largest  freight  ever  brought  up  at  one 

trip James  Baker   died,   aged    33 Erastus  Perry 

died,  aged  72. 

2.  James  Dey  Ermand  died,  aged  55. 

3.  Elizabeth  Capron  died,  aged  50 Elizabeth,  wife 

of  William  Wareing  died,  aged  56.. -.The  old  vegetable 
market,  an  unsightly  range  of  sheds,  was  pulled  down, 
attracting  a  good  deal  of  observation.    (See  next  page.) 

4.  Mrs.  Catharine  McHarg   died,    aged  78 Peter 

Murphy  died,  aged  33. 

5.  Archibald  Mclntyre  died,  aged  56.     He  came  to  this 
city  at  an  early  age  from  Scotland,   and  from   1798  to 
J802    was    a  member   of  Assembly   from    Montgomery 
county.     In  1806  he  was  appointed  comptroller  of  the 
state,  an  office  which  he  filled  with  ability  and  integrity 
until  1821,  when  he  was  removed  in  consequence  of  his 
refusal   to    pay  claims   rendered  by  Gov.  Tompkins  for 
services  and  disbursements  during  the  war,  without  the 
proper  vouchers.    He  was  soon  after  elected  to  the  senate 
for  six  years.     He  then  became  associated  with  John  B. 
Yates  in  the  management  of  the  state  lotteries,  in  which 
he  continued  till  the  lotteries  were  abolished.     This  firm 
was  also  largely  interested  in  the  Welland  canal.     At  a 
later  period  Mr.  Mclntyre  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  state,  and  gave  much  atten- 
tion to  its  improvement Harriet  G.,  wife  of  J.  C.  Rob- 
inson, died  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  aged  53. 

6.  Eliza  A.,  wife  of  Caleb  Weaver,  died,  aged  33 

James  Turner  died,  aged  42. 

7.  William  White  died,  aged  45. 

8.  William  Lyman  died,  aged  52 Samuel  F.  Follett 

was  drowned,  aged  28. 

9.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Alex.  Reid,  died,  aged  23. 

11.  William  J.  Hardy  died,  aged  54 Isaac  Lansing 

died,  aged  71. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  417 

13.  Martha,  widow  of  John  Meacham,  died,  aged  67. 

15.  Anthony  Gould  died,  aged  56.     Mr.  Gould  came  to 
this  city  in  1821,  and  after  several  years  of  clerkship  in 
the  law  bookstore  of  his  uncle  William  Gould,  he  became 
a  partner  in  the  business.     He  had  retired  from  active 
pursuits  but  a  short  time,  with  an  ample  fortune,  when 
he  was  overtaken  by  death  suddenly.     He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Congregational  church,  to  which  he  con- 
tributed with  great  liberality. 

16.  Sarah,  widow  of  Nicholas  Efner  and  daughter  of 
Sybrant  Kittle,  died,  ageo;50. 

19.  Mrs.  Catharine  Landers  died,  aged  62. 

20.  Joel  White  died,  aged  46 Matthew  A.  Russell 

died,  aged  28 Morris  Labascheiner  was  drowned  at 

the  ferry. 

21.  The  Cathedral  was  robbed  of  the  money  in  the 

poor  boxes  and  of  several  costly  prayer  books A  circus 

made  a  procession  through  the  streets  preceded  by  a  car 
drawn  by  six  elephants,   and  containing  a  steam  organ, 
termed  a  calliope. 

22.  Derike,  wife  of  Dier  Newton,  died,  aged  72. 

25.  Mary,  wife  of  Robert  Hutchison,    died,    aged  49. 
Thomas  McElroy,    formerly  of  Albany,    died   at  New 
Scotland,  aged  56. 

26.  Granville  Slack  died,  aged  59. 

27.  Washington   G.  Gibson,   confined  in   the   station 
house  for  abuse  of  his  wife,  committed  suicide,  aged  48. 

28.  Sarah  Ann,  wife  of  Henry  Mattice,  died. 

31.  Titus  Norton  died,  aged  64 William  A.  Duer, 

formerly  of  Albany,  died  in  New  York.  Mr.  Duer  was 
a  grandson  of  Lord  Stirling,  and  claimed  the  title.  He 
was  for  several  years  a  distinguished  member  of  the 
legislature  of  New  York,  representing  Dutchess  county, 
and  was  a  leader  in  the  old  federal  party.  In  1818  he 
removed  to  Albany,  where  he  was  again  elected  to  repre- 
sent this  county  in  the  state  legislature.  He  joined  the 
democratic  party  in  1818,  and  took  ground  against  Gov 
ernor  Clinton.  In  1823,  he  was  appointed  circuit  judge 
for  the  circuit  embracing  Albany,  Columbia,  Rensselaer, 

[Annals,  x.]  36 


418  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

and  some  other  counties.  After  filling  this  office  for 
several  years,  he  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York,  and 
was  appointed  president  of  Columbia  college.  He  was 
the  author  of  a  life  of  his  ancestor,  Lord  Stirling,  and  of 
a  work  on  constitutional  jurisprudence.  It  was  Judge 
Duer  who  presided  at  the  trial  of  Jesse  Strang,  indicted 
for  the  murder  of  Whipple  at  Cherry  Hill,  in  the  spring 

of  1827 Benjamin  C.  Brainard  died,  aged  50 Philo 

C.  Hackley  died,  aged  76. 

JUNE. 

1.  John  Wood  worth  died,  aged  89.  He  was  a  native 
of  Columbia  county,  and  received  an  education  in  Albany 
under  John  Lovett.  In  1791,  immediately  after  his  ad- 
mission to  the  bar  of  the  supreme  court,  he  settled  in 
Troy  in  the  practice  of  the  law.  In  that  year  the  county 
of  Rensselaer  was  taken  from  Albany  and  erected  into  a 
new  county,  and  the  little  village  of  Troy,  which  had 
received  its  name  only  the  year  before,  began  to  make 
some  pretensions  to  rivalry  with  Lansingburgh,  and  con- 
tended with  her  for  the  courthouse,  successfully,  which 
was  built  in  1794.  He  was  the  first  postmaster  in  Troy, 
and  held  the  office  about  five  years,  until  1798  or  1799. 
In  1802  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  legislature,  and 
in  1806  removed  to  Albany.  In  1800  he  was  an  elector 
of  president  and  vice  president,  and  was  associated  with 
William  P.  Van  Ness  in  a  revision  of  the  laws  of  the 
state.  In  March,  1819,  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Clinton 
a  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  and  remained  on  the  bench 
until  1828,  when  it  was  assumed  that  he  had  reached  the 
period  in  life  at  which  the  constitution  interposed  a  dis- 
qualification; in  reality  he  was  but  57  instead  of  60.  He 
resisted  this  assumption,  and  a  suit  was  pending  at  the 
time  of  his  death  to  recover  three  years'  salary.  He  had 
recently  prepared  an  argument  in  an  important  case  at 
law  which  had  elicited  the  admiration  of  the  whole  bar. 
His  active  habits  and  temperate  mode  of  life  contributed 
to  his  good  health,  cheerfulness  and  longevity.  Until  a 
few  weeks  before  his  death  his  erect  form  and  agile  step 


of  the  Year  1858.         «     . 


indicated  a  person  but  little  past  the  middle  age  rather 
than  one  who  had  lived  almost  through  a  whole  century. 
Mrs.  Susan  Peterson  died,  aged  86.  She  was  an  aged 
colored  woman,  who  for  the  past  twenty-seven  years  had 
lived  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Rufus  H.  King  of  this  city. 
Aunt  Susan,  as  she  was  called  by  her  many  friends,  was 
born  in  1772.  Her  mother  was  a  slave  in  the  family  of 
General  Ten  Broeck  of  this  city,  where  the  subject  of 
this  notice  was  born.  As  a  little  girl  she  remembered 
waiting  upon  General  Washington  at  the  house  of  General 
Ten  Broeck,  and  retained  a,vivid  recollection  of  the  father 
of  his  country.  At  the  age  of  17,  Aunt  Susan  became  a 
member  of  the  North  Dutch  church,  then  under  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  Domine  Westerlo.  Of  this  church  she 
remained  a  consistent  and  exemplary  member  during  her 
long  life.  It  was  supposed  that,  at  the  time  of  her  death, 
she  was  the  oldest  member  of  that  congregation.  Aunt 
Susan  was  once  married.  She  raised  a  large  family  of 
children,  but  one  of  whom,  however,  a  daughter,  survived 
her.  She  was  a  woman  possessing  many  virtues,  and 
her  memory  will  long  live  with  those  who  visited  the 
house  of  Mr.  King  ----  A  fire  in  First  street,  Arbor  hill, 
destroyed  a  cabinet  shop  and  the  dwelling  of  Mrs.  Gries- 
man,  who  with  her  children  narrowly  escaped  with  their 
lives.  Loss  $1500;  no  insurance. 

2.  Jane  C.,  wife  of  Nelson  Bailey,  died,  aged  47. 

3.  Mrs.  Mary  Youds  died,  aged  47. 

9.  Benjamin  Gibson  died,  aged  67  ____  Mrs.  Hannah 
Slingerland  died,  aged  47. 

10.  Azor  Taber,  a  distinguished  counselor  at  law,  died, 
aged  60.     He  came  to  this  city  in   1824,   and  was  some 
time  a  law  partner  of  Jabez  D.  Hammond.     In  1827  he 
took  an   active   part  in  the   reelection   of  John  Quincy 
Adams  to  the  office  of  president,  and  wrote  for  the  Albany 
Morning  Chronicle.     He  was  senator  in  1852  and  1853, 
which  were  the  only  civil  offices  he  filled;  but  was  noted 
for  his  industry  and  ability  as  a  legal  practitioner,  during 
a  residence  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.     In  1854  he 
retired  from  business  and  resided  in  Knox,  the  town  of 


420  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

his  birth.     He  took  an  active  part  in  the  temperance 
movement. 

11.  Jane,  widow  of  Joseph  T.  Rice,  died,  aged  64 

Lawrence  Dowd  died,  aged  59. 

15.  Isabella,  wife  of  John  N.  McKaig,  died,  aged  28. 
John  Hermans  died,  aged  79. 

16.  Mrs.  Neal  McCotter  died,  aged  72.     In  a  fit  of  in- 
sanity she  put  an  end  to  her  existence. 

17.  A  fire  at  the  corner  of  Franklin  and  Bassett  streets 
destroyed  several  wooden  tenements  and  a  grocery;  loss 
$10,000. 

18-  John  Beetham  died,  aged  49. 

20.  Harriet  K.,  wife  of  Edmund  Burdick,  died. 

23.  Dr.  Nanning  Visscher  Winne  died,  aged  52 A 

fire  broke  out  at  the  corner  of  Orange  and  Water  streets, 
which  destroyed  several  buildings,  and  much  lumber  in 
the  yard  of  Messrs.  Bullock  &  Many;  also  swept  away 
the  machine  shop  of  Mellen  Battel.     Loss  about  $20,000. 

24.  Mary,  wife  of  John  Hurdis,  died,  aged  57. 

25.  John  Banlham  died,  aged  89. 

27.  Thomas  P.  Waters  died,  aged  45. 

28.  Festival  of  the  Turnverein,  which  continued  two 
days,  at  Blackman's  bush,  on  the  border  of  Bethlehem. 

29.  John  Cassidy  died,  aged  29. 

30.  A  building  in  Arch  street  west  of  Grand,  used  for 
preparing  patent  roofing  material,  was  burnt.  Loss  about 
$250;  no  insurance The  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  de- 
partment reported  37  fires  during  the  year,   21  alarms, 
and  7  false  alarms;  making  65  times  that  the  department 
had  been  called  out  during  the  year.     The  amount  of 
property  destroyed  was  $45,064,  of  which  $34,149  was 
insured,  leaving  $11,015  loss  to  the  owners. 

JULY. 

1.  Alarms  of  fire,  real   and  false,  were  of  unusually 
frequent  occurrence. 

2.  Po\vers  L.  Green  died,   aged  34 A  fire  in  Sand 

street  destroyed  several  wooden  sheds  of  little  value. 

3.  Catharine,  wife  of  Thurlow  Weed,  died,  aged  61. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  421 

7.  Thomas  Bowen  died,   aged  65 Mrs.  Margaret 

Flansburgh  died,  aged  79. 

10.  John  Calhoun  died,  aged  29. 

11.  Charles  A.  Vedder  died,  aged  22 ,A  warm  and 

sultry  morning  was  followed  by  a  tremendous  tempest, 
which  spent  its  utmost  fury  north  of  the  city,  and  a  fall 
of  35  deg.  in  the  temperature  cf  the  atmosphere  succeeded. 

13.  Joel  Courtney  died,  aged  29 A  tempest  of  rain 

deluged  the  city. 

15.  John  N.  Wilder  died,   aged  44.     He  was  a  native 
of  New  Braintree,  Mass.,  and  came  to  this  city  in  1828. 
He  commenced  active  life  as  a  clerk  in  the   dry  goods 
establishment  of  Wilder  &  Hastings,  corner  of  State  and 
Green  streets,  of  which  firm  Ephraim  Wilder,  his  uncle, 
was  chief  partner,  and  at  his  death  left  him  the  principal 
part  of  his  fortune.  He  began  business  for  himself  in  con- 
nection with  Mr.  Wm.  E.  Bleecker,  in  the  wholesale  dry 
goods  business,  and  was  afterwards  connected  with  two 
or  three  other  establishments;  and  although  a  prudent 
and  capable  business  man,  did  not  give  his  whole  ener- 
gies to  those  enterprises,  but  took  a  deep  interest  in  civil, 
religious  and  educational  institutions.     He  made  a  dona- 
tion of  ten  thousand  dollars  to  the  Rochester  university, 
and  by  public  addresses  in  different  parts  of  the  state,  and 
by  personal  appeals,  he  procured  tens  of  thousands  from 
others.     More  than  any  other  man  he  was  regarded  as 
the  founder  of  that  institution,  and  was  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

16.  A  fire  at  1  o'clock  in  the  morning  destroyed  a  car- 
penter's shop  in  Clinton   avenue Oliver  Mills  died, 

aged  36. 

18.  Henry  S.  Pemberton  died,  aged  53. 

19.  Dr.  Seymour  W.  Simpson,  died. 

20.  Preston  Flagg  died,  aged  20. 

21.  Alexander  Stewart  died,  aged  49. 

22.  Eliza  McLaughlin  died,  aged  52. 

26.  James  Stack  died,  aged  47. 

27.  The  steam  canal  boat  Charles  Wack,  from  Buffalo, 
arrived  in  six  days,  intended  as  an  experiment  of  steam 


422  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

navigation  on  the  Erie  canal John  V.  James  died  in 

New  York,  aged  20. 

30.  D.  D.  T.  Moore  died,  aged  47 Michael  Caddey 

died,  aged  53. 

31.  Cortland  Schuyler  died,  aged  72,   and  was  buried 

from  his  residence  in  Tivoli  hollow Sarah  A.,  wife  of 

John  Gordon,  died,  aged  39. 

AUGUST. 

1.  Joseph  J.  Wright  died,  aged  62. 

2.  The  iron  bridge  over  the  canal  at  the  foot  of  Law- 
rence street,  while  a  drove  of  cattle  were  crossing,  gave 
way  and   fell   into  the  canal,   carrying  down  a  hundred 
cattle.     The  water  was  drawn  off,  and  the  cattle  rescued. 

5.  News  received  of  the   successful  laying  of  the  At- 
lantic telegraph  wire Calvert  Comstock,  editor  of  the 

Atlas  &  Argus  assumed  the  duties  of  postmaster. 

6.  The  telegraph  office  illuminated  in  honor  of  the 
completion   of  the  Atlantic  telegraph.     Every  office  in 
the  United  States  from  Maine  to  California  was  illumin- 
ated at  the  same  time. 

7.  A  fire  in   Rotten  row,   Hamilton  street,   between 
Green  and  Liberty;  damage  slight. 

8.  An  alarm  of  fire  in  Elk  street;  roof  damaged. 

9.  The  common  council  and  others  visited  the  brewery 
of  John  Taylor  &  Sons  in  the  evening  to  inspect  the  new 
clock  and  bell  erected  in  that  establishment.     The  dial 
plates  of  the  clock  are  six  feet  in  diameter,  and  the  bell 
weighs  1200  pounds.     They  are  elevated  nearly  100  feet 
from  the  street,  and  cost  $4000.  The  clock  is  illuminated 
by  gas  burners  and  reflectors,  and  the  time  may  be  dis- 
tinguished at   considerable   distance.     After  examining 
the  clock,  the  company  was  invited  into  the  library,  for 
the  purpose  of  partaking  of  a  collation.     Mr.  Taylor's 
library  consists  of  about  10,000  volumes.     After  several 
speeches  and  sentiments  were  got  off,  the  party  dispersed, 
highly  pleased  with  the  entertainment. 

The  trustees  of  the  North  Dutch  church  undertook  the 
repairing  and   remodeling  of  their  edifice.     It  was  built 


Annals  of  the  Tear  1858.  423 

in  1798,  in  the  Italian  Renaissance  style,  in  which,  at 
that  time,  almost  all  public  as  well  as  private  buildings 
were  erected.  Of  late  years,  however,  architecture  has 
made  rapid  progress ;  and  since  the  early  Christian  styles 
have  been  the  subject  of  profound  and  patient  study,  their 
beauty  and  symmetry  is  more  and  more  appreciated;  and 
they  have  with  very  few  exceptions,  been  since  applied 
in  the  construction  and  ornamentation  of  modern  churches. 
This  church  was  remodeled  in  the  Romanesque  style,  which 
preceded  the  Gothic.  The  four  brick  columns  in  front,  with 
the  Doric  gable,  were  replaced  by  an  arcade  of  three 
round  arches,  from  which  three  doors  open  into  the  ves- 
tibule. The  flat  ceiling  in  the  church  was  replaced  by 
groined  vaults,  supported  by  thin  and  graceful  columns, 
with  Romanesque  capitals.  The  old,  narrow  and  high 
pulpit  was  removed,  and  a  wide  open  platform,  with  a 
lecturn  constructed  in  its  stead.  The  windows  were 
filled  with  stained  glass  after  new  designs.  The  towers 
were  carried  up  higher  and  covered  with  slate.  In  the 
rear  an  addition  was  made  to  the  church,  to  contain 
Sunday  school  rooms,  a  room  for  the  trustees,  a  vestry- 
room,  and  a  large  lecture  room,  capable  of  seating  be- 
tween 350  and  400  persons,  the  old  one  being  entirely 
too  small  for  the  purposes  to  which  it  was  applied.  The 
designs  were  made  by  Von  Steinwehr  and  Hodgins, 
eminent  architects,  under  whose  superintendence  the  im- 
provements were  carried  out. 

13.  Thomas  S.  Knight  died,  aged  41. 

14.  John  G.  Don  died,  aged  31. 

16.  The  first  message  across  the  Atlantic  telegraph 
was  received  in  the  evening  from  the  queen  of  England, 
whereupon  there  was  a  spontaneous  outburst  from  every 
mouth,  and  the  greatest  rejoicings  were  enacted  in  all 
ordinary  and  some  extraordinary  ways,  which  were  con- 
tinued during  the  whole  night Angus  McDonald 

died,  aged  53 Ann  Rodeau  died,  aged  72. 

18.  Mrs.  James  E.  McClure  died. 

19.  John  B.  Nellegar  died,  aged  45. 

21.  Christiana,  wife  of  Hathorn  McCulloch,  died, 
aged  79. 


424  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

24.  William  A.  Wadsworth  died,  aged  36 Mrs.  Joel 

West,  late  of  Albany,  died  at  West  Lee,  Mass.,  aged  60. 

25.  Abijah  Hall  died,  aged  83 Nancy  Tufts  died, 

aged  28. 

28.  Hamilton   Blanchard,   aged   26,   died   at   Salem, 
Washington  county. 

29.  Adaline,  wife  of  Henry  T.  Meech,  died  at  Buffalo. 

30.  Mrs.  Charles  Sayles  died,  aged  40. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1.  Mary  T.,  wife   of  B.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,   died   at 

Ballston John  J.  Fitzpatrick  died,  aged  24 Great 

celebration  of  the  success  of  the  Atlantic  telegraph.  The 
fete  by  day  was  never  equaled  on  any  former  occasion, 
and  the  illumination  by  night  far  surpassed  any  thing 
every  before  seen  here.  All  business  was  suspended  by 
common  consent,  and  the  whole  city  entered  into  the 
spirit  of  the  jubilee  spontaneously. 

3.  Elizabeth  Parker  died,  aged  78. 

4.  Margaret  Linacre  died,  aged  85 Robert  Furman 

died  in  Williamsburgh,  aged  34. 

5.  Mrs.  Anna  B.,  wife  of  Aaron  Ryder,  died  at  Milford, 
Mass.,  aged  37;  formerly  of  Albany. 

7.  John  Hilton  died,  aged  74. 

10.  Nathan  Cornell,  who  formerly  resided  on  the  island 

below  the  city,  died  at  Syracuse,  aged  88 William 

O'Donnell  died,  aged  50. 

1 1  Elizabeth  Valentine  died,  aged  87. 

14.  Mary  Jane,  wife  of  James  L.  Mitchell,  died,  aged 
35 Jacob  Downing,  formerly  of  this  city,  died  at  Ro- 
chester, Ohio,  aged  67.  He  was  an  alderman  of  the  8th 
ward,  and  was  many  years  ago  the  projector  of  the  soup 
house  charity,  which  came  to  be  a  very  corrupt  charity, 
the  best  pieces  of  meat  unaccountably  disappearing. 

16.  Margaret,  wife  of  John  O'Conner,  died,  aged  54. 

17.  A  bell  was  placed  in  the  tower  of  the  Swan  street 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  weighing  2000  Ibs. 

22.  Silas  C.  Parsons  died,  aged  77. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  425 

23.  David  Bryan  died,  aged  29 James  B.  Douglass, 

formerly  of  Albany,  died  in  New  York,  aged  71. 

25.  Harriet  Lavinia  Covert,  wife  of  William  H.  Allen, 
died  at  Middle  Granville,  aged  24. 

26.  Anna  M.  Van  Allen  died,  aged  17 William 

Mahony  died,  aged  57. 

28.  Thomas  H.  Dobbs  died,  aged  57. 

29.  Firemen's  jubilee.     Nearly  3000  firemen  from  six 
different  states  gathered  here  for  a  display,  from  Detroit 
in  the  west,  Providence  in  the  east  and  Newark  in  the 
south,  and  numerous  intermediate  places,  to  the  number 
of  61  companies,    including  those  of  the  city.     There 
were  19  bands  of  music  in  the  procession.     First  came 
two  carriages,  in  one  of  which  was  Jonathan  Brooks,  an 
ancient  fireman,  with  a  fire  cap  of  No.  8,  of  which  he  was 
foreman  fifty-eight  years  ago.     Exempt   firemen  to  the 
number  of  200  drew  old  No.  4,  built  by  James  Rogers. 
These  old  fellows  had  got  so  thoroughly  warmed  up  on 
the  occasion,  that   notwithstanding    their  long  march, 
when  the  procession  broke  up  they  could  not  resist  the 
inclination  to  have  a  run  with  der  masheene,  and  accord- 
ingly with  an  old  fashioned  "  Hi  yi!  give  way  boys!  give 
way!"  they  took  a  run  up  State  street,  which  called  out 
the  hearty  cheers  of  the  young  firemen  and  spectators... 
Ann  Bell,  aged  22,   was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  stone 

upon  her  head  while  witnessing  the  procession James 

Lamb  died,  aged  40 Catharine  Kelley  died,  aged  90. 

30.  This  day  was  given  by  the  seventy  fire  companies 
to  competing  for  the  prizes.     It  was  a  "time  of  intense 
excitement,  and  continued  till  the  close  of  day,  the  prizes, 
amounting  to  $1800  being  paid  to  the  foremen  of  the  suc- 
cessful engines  in  gold.     The  weather  had  been  until  7 
o'clock  every  thing  that  could  be  desired.     At  that  hour 
a  violent  tempest  of  wind,  rain  and  electricity  burst  upon 
the  city,  and  brought  down  the  top-mast  of  the  lofty  flag 
staff  in  the  parade  ground,   which  had  served  to  mark 
the  prowess  of  the  firemen  in  the  contest  for  superiority. 
The  streets  were  nevertheless  still  redolent  of  red  shirts. 


426  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

and  squads  of  firemen  pervaded  the  streets  jubilant  with 
success  and  excitement. 

OCTOBER. 

1.  The  morning  again  echoed  with  the  music  of  fife  and 
drum,  as  the  remaining  companies  of  firemen  were  es- 
corted to  the  steam  boats  and  rail  road  cars   on  their 
departure  homeward,  and  by  12  o'clock  the  last  red  shirt 
disappeared.     The  fete  was  a  complete  success,  eclipsing 
every  thing  of  the  kind  that  had  preceded  it  in  this  place, 
in  the  memory  of  man Peter  White  died,  aged  56. 

2.  Rev.  Henry  Mandeville,    formerly  pastor  of  the 
Fourth  Presbyterian  church,   died  at  Mobile.     The  fol- 
lowing obituary  notice  of  him  is  from  the  Utica  Herald : 
"  By  telegraph  we  have  the  intelligence  of  the  death  at 
Mobile,  Alabama,  the  2d  inst.,  of  Rev.  Henry  Mandeville, 
D.  D.,  well  known  to  our  citizens  as  a  scholar  and  cler- 
gyman.    It  is  a  quarter  of  a  century  since  Dr.  Mandeville 
came  to  this  city  from  Geneva,  and  became  pastor  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  church,  in   which  capacity  and  after- 
wards as    pastor   of  the   First  Presbyterian  church,  he 
made  many  warm  friends,  and  won  a  high  reputation  as 
a  pulpit  orator.     In  1841,  he  became  Professor  of  Moral 
Philosophy  and  Rhetoric  at  Hamilton  college,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  post  for  eight  years.     During  that  time  he 
published  several  works   on  elocution,    which  possess 
great  value  and  have  become  standards  in  that  depart- 
ment in  many  of  our  best  institutions.  During  the  earlier 
part  of  this  period  he  also  occupied  the  pulpit  of  the  First 
Presbyterian   church,   and  in  1843,  or  thereabouts,  was 
again  unanimously  invited  to  resume  the  pastorate.  This, 
however,   he  declined,    and  remained   at  Clinton   until 
1849.     He  thence  removed  to  Albany,  and  was  for  some 
years  pastor  of  one  of  the  Presbyterian  churches  there. 
His  health  failing,  he  went  to  Mobile  to  spend  the  winter, 
and  was  invited  to  occupy  the  pulpit  of  Dr.  Hamilton's 
church  in  that  city,   and  before  his  visit  was  completed 
he  was  pressed  to  accept  a  call  to  take  up  his  residence 
as  pastor  of  that  largest  and  wealthiest   church   in  the 


ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  427 

state.     Considerations  of  health  and  usefulness  induced 
him  to  yield  to  the  request,  and  he  has  there  found  a  grave. 

'*  Dr.  Mandeville  was  a  native  of  this  state,  and  it  will 
be  seen  from  this  brief  sketch,  spent  a  good  part  of  the 
summer  of  his  life  in  Oneida  county.  He  was  a  genial 
and  broad-hearted  man.  As  a  pastor  he  was  popular 
and  useful,  and  as  a  preacher  evinced  more  culture, 
oratory,  force  and  taste,  than  are  often  combined  in  the 
same  person.  He  was  always  an  attractive  speaker,  and 
as  a  public  lecturer,  his  efforts  were  very  successful.  As 
an  author,  his  system  of  elocution  is  original  and  of  con- 
ceded value.  Dr.  Mandeville  was  much  above  the  average 
of  men  in  ability,  acquirements  and  usefulness;  and  as 
is  the  case  with  every  faithful  pastor,  his  eulogy  as  a 
Christian  minister  is  best  written  on  the  hearts  of  those 
who  have  personal  experience  of  the  good  results  of  his 
labors." Thomas  Johnson  died,  aged  50. 

Oct.  3.  EbenezerE.  A.Roberts  died,  aged  37 St. 

Peter's  church  was  not  opened  for  service  on  account  of 
the  insecurity  of  the  ceiling.  The  walls  had  long  been 
in  a  dilapidated  condition,  the  foundation  having  settled 
in  several  places  so  as  to  cause  large  fissures  on  the  east 
side.  The  congregation  worshiped  in  the  lecture  room 
of  the  State  Agricultural  Society. 

Oct.  4.  Robert    Kirkpatrick  died,  aged  68 The 

comet,  \vfiich  for  several  weeks  had  increased  in  bril- 
liancy, was  now  at  its  nearest  proximity,  and  made  the 
finest  display  that  had  been  witnessed  in  many  years. 

5.  Rachel,  wife  of  Julius  Tremper,  died. 

6.  Eliza  Davis  died,  aged  42 Dr.  David  M.  Mc- 

Lachlan,  formerly  professor  of  materia  medica  in  the 
Albany  Medical  College,  and  a  practicing  physician  here, 
died  at  Cleveland,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  aged  55.     He 
was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  a  graduate  of  Edinburgh 
college. 

8.  Alice  Harney  died,    aged  44 The  Burgesses 

Corps  celebrated  the  25th  anniversary  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  corps,  which  took  place  at  the  Maiden  Lane 
Saloon  in  1833.  The  first  captain  was  John  0.  Cole, 
who  was  succeeded  by  Capt.  Bayeux,  Capt.  Humphrey, 


428  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

B.  R.  Spelman,  Rufus  King,  Franklin  Townsend,  J.  W. 
Blanchard,  Wrn.  J.  Thomas,  and  B.  R.  Spelman  again. 
Although  it  is  a  quarter  of  a  century  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  corps,  but  one  of  the  above  officers  has  de- 
ceased, namely,  Capt.  Bayeux,  At  the  supper  table, 
Cornelius  Wendell,  Esq.,  one  of  the  original  members, 
presented  $500  to  be  invested,  and  the  income  annually 
appropriated  to  some  reward  of  soldierly  merit  to  the 
most  deserving  member  of  the  company. 
10.  Amelia,  wife  of  J.  S.  Hitchcock,  died. 

14.  Samuel  Boyd,   formerly  of  Albany,  died  in  New 
Orleans,  aged  30. 

15.  Siche,  widow  of  the  late  Samuel  Vail,  died,  aged 
93. 

16.  John  Hayes  died,  aged  28. 

18.  Sally,  wife  of  John  I.  De  Graff,   formerly  of  this 
city,  died  at  Hoffman's  Ferry,  aged  55. 

19.  Ann  Jane,  wife  of  Cooper  Sickles,  died,  aged  31. 

20.  Mary,  widow  of  Michael  Arts,  died,  aged  67. 
22.  John  H.  Bennett  died,  aged  37. 

24.  Nancy,  wife  of  Duncan  McKercher,  died,  aged  66. 
Rev.  T.  A.  Starkey  of  St.  Paul's  church,  who  had  been 
absent  some  time  from  his  congregation  on  account  of 
ill-health,  after  a  few  prefatory  remarks,  delivered  in 
front  of  the  chancel,  announced  that  it  was  the  last  time 
he  should  address  them  in  the  character  of  pastor,  and 
bade  them  farewell.  His  remarks  and  his  determination 
were  evidently  unexpected,  and  were  received  with  mani- 
fest surprise  and  emotion. — Times. 

26.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  on  motion  of 
Alderman  Serviss,  it  was  resolved  to  print  the  minutes  of 

the  board Alderman  Barhydt  reported  that  the  city 

now  owned  five  engines,  six  hose  carts,  and  two  hook 
and  ladder  wagons,  for  which  there  was  no  further  ne- 
cessity, and  recommended  that  they  be  sold Afire 

broke  out  in  the  residence  of  J.  H.  Sharp  in  Colonie 
street,  and  a  child  was  suffocated. 

29.  Mary  L.  wife  of  Wm.  G.  Ertzberger  died,  aged  38. 

Jehiel  Knapp  died,  aged  76 Margaret  Elizabeth,  wife 

of  James  McWilliams,  died,  aged  25. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  429 

NOVEMBER. 

1.  Howard  "Watson  died,  aged  24. 

2.  Election  day.    John  H.  Reynolds  was  elected  rep- 
resentative to  congress   and  William  A.  Young  to  the 
state  assembly;  Thomas  W.  Van  Alstyne,  sheriff. 

5.  Henry  Austin  died  at  San  Francisco,  aged  41,  son 
of  the  late  William  Austin. 

6.  Zechariah  Standish,  globe  manufacturer,  died,  aged 
62.  He  had  the  pistol  and  tobacco  pipe  of  Miles  Standish, 
the  puritan,  which  were  sold  after  his  death. 

7.  Maria  Vedder  died,  fcged  51 Snow  fell  at  an 

early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  first  of  the  season;  on  the 
Helderberg  it  fell  to  the  depth  of  a  foot. 

9.  A  fire  destroyed  a  pile  of  lumber  in  Lawrence  street, 
valued  at  $1000;  supposed  to  have  been  fired  by  an  in- 
cendiary. 

10.  The  following  were  elected  officers  of  the  County 
Medical  Society:  S.  D.  Willard,  M.  D.,  president;  S.  0, 
Vanderpoel,  M.  D.,  vice  president;  Levi  Moore,  M.  D., 
secretary;  William  H.  Bailey,  M.  D.,  treasurer. 

11.  Sophia,  wife  of  John  K.  Porter,  died,  aged  29 

Maria  M.  Triger  died,  aged  55 Gertrude,  wife  of  R. 

E.  Churchill,  died,  aged  38. 

12.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Murray,  died,  aged  46. 
14.  The  Arbor  Hill  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  which 

had  been  closed  some  time  for  repairs,  was  opened  for 
service.  Three  services  were  held,  and  the  collections 
and  subscriptions  taken  up  amounted  to  $1400. 

16.  Mrs.  Anna  Ross  died,  aged  52 Elizabeth,  wife 

of  Philip  Dunn,  died,  aged  20. 

18.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Michael  Springer,  died,  aged  30. 

William  R.  Sumner  died,  aged  23 Philip  Smith 

died,  aged  72. 

22.  At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council  the  finance 
committee  reported  the  amount  of  money,  to  be  raised 
by  taxation  to  defray  expenses  for  the  ensuing  year  to  be 
as  follows: 

[Annals,  x.]  37  • 


430  Annals  of  the  Year  1858. 

Contingent  expenses,  ordinary, $42,000 

Deficiency  in  amount  raised  in  1857, 40,000 

Police  department 37,000 

Furnishing,  &c.,  city  lamps 19,000 

Deficiency  on  account  of  improving  streets, 1 0,000 

Interest  on  public  debt, 35,000 

"      on   sinking  fund, 10,000 

Temporary  relief  out-door  poor, 18, 000 

Fire  department, 17,000 

Finish'ing  and  furnishing  industrial  school, 5,000 

Support  of  public  schools, 32,000 

Extra  appropriation  for  1st  ward  school  house, .  15,000 

$280,000 

22.  Isaac  Newton,  manager  and  principal  owner  of  the 
People's  Line  of  steam  boats,  died  in  New  York,  aged  63. 
He  was  the  son  of  a  soldier  of  the  revolution,  and  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Schodack,  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y., 
on  the  10th  of  January,  1794.  When  Robert  Fulton's 
first  boat,  named  the  Clermont,  in  honor  of  Chancellor 
Livingston,  made  her  trial  trip  in  August,  1807,  Mr. 
Newton  was  13  years  of  age,  and  through  life  retained  a 
distinct  recollection  of  the  ridicule,  astonishment  and  in- 
credulity which  attended  the  inauguration  of  steam  navi- 
gation. His  attention  thus  drawn  to  the  subject,  seconded 
his  inclination  and  constructive  talent;  and  over  ninety 
vessels,  consisting  of  ocean  steamers,  steam  boats,  barges, 
sloops,  &c.,  have  been  built  under  his  supervision.  He 
established  the  first  line  of  tow  boats  on  the  Hudson, 
and  in  1835  he  built  the  steam  boat  Balloon,  the  first  of 
the  splendid  river  craft  which  have  won  the  admiration 
of  the  world.  The  North  America,  South  America, 
Isaac  Newton,  New  World,  Hendrik  Hudson,  &c.,  fol- 
lowed, and  gave  rise  to  the  term  floating  palaces,  as 
used  to  express  the  magnificence  of  our  river  and  lake 
steamers.  Mr.  Newton  commenced  his  career  as  master 
of  a  river  sloop,  and  was  entirely  a  self-made  man.  He 
was  a  practical  Christian.  For  some  thirty  years  he 
has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Oliver  Street  Baptist 


Annals  of  the  Year  1858.  431 

church,  and  during  most  of  that  time  a  Sunday  school 
teacher Helen  Louisa  Gourlay  died,  aged  40. 

23.  James  Davidson  died,  aged  52.... Bridget  Tomp- 
kins  died,  aged  70. 

28.  The  Universalist  church,  which  had  been  closed 
some  time  for  repairs,  was  opened  for  service.  The  in- 
terior was  entirely  refitted,  the  walls  and  ceiling  frescoed, 
the  seats  uniformly  upholstered,  and  the  wood  work 
painted  to  correspond  with  the  walls. 

DECEMBER. 

1.  Sarah,  widow  of  John 'Nicholson,  died  at  Palmyra, 
aged  78. 

2.  Harriet,  wife  of  Abram  Covert,  died,  aged  64. 

3.  David  Hynes  died,  aged  56 Thomas  Becket  died, 

aged  54. 

5.  Samuel  Wiley  died,  aged  28 Charlotte  Bleecker, 

widow  of  Vinal  Luce,  died  at  Washington. 

6.  Abraham  Tomlinson  died,*aged  80. 

10.  Anna  Egberts,  wife  of  Oliver  Steele,  died  at  Co- 
hoes George  G.  Sparling  died,  aged  79. 

17.  Mary  Ann  Sheldon  died,  aged  55. 

18.  The  river  closed. 

19.  Thermometer  2  deg.  below  zero. 

20.  Catharine,  widow  of  Matthias  Kline,  died,  aged  72. 

The  common  council,  after  numerous  ballotings  at 

four  different  sessions  for  deputy  chamberlain,  without  a 
choice,  resolved  to  request  the  mayor  to  fill  the  office  of 
receiver  of  taxes  until  the  office  was  regularly  filled. 

21.  Eleanor,  widow  of  Win.  Van  Zandt,  died,  aged  77. 

23.  John  Jacob  Wendell  was  elected  deputy  chamber- 
lain in  the  place  of  Thomas  W.  Van  Alstyne  resigned. .. 
..A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Capitol,  Hon.  Eli  Perry, 
president,  to  discuss  the  abduction  of  young  Mortara,  a 
Jew,  claimed  by  the  Catholics  as  having  been  baptized 

into  their  church Mrs.  Ruth  Parmalee  Hough  died, 

aged  71 Mary  W.,  wife  of  Andrew  McKaig,  senior, 

died,  aged  60. 


(432) 
THE 

CHUKCH  OF  THE  HOLT  INNOCENTS. 

The  church  which  bears  this  title  was  the  fifth  parish 
organized  in  this  city  by  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church. 
The  increase  of  the  population,  and  the  extension  of  the 
city  had  necessitated  some  special  provision  for  the  spirit- 
ual wants  of  the  members  of  that  church  living  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town.  A  considerable  part  of  them , 
however,  were  neither  sufficiently  settled  in  their  resi- 
dence, nor  pecuniarily  able  to  originate  so  important  an 
undertaking,  of  themselves.  The  claims  of  this  field  had 
not  been  unobserved  by  others ;  but  a  decisive  movement 
to  accomplish  the  object  pf  building  up  a  congregation  in 
that  quarter  was  first  made  in  1847  by  the  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's  church  in  cooperation,  chiefly,  with  the  layman, 
then  and  for  many  years  its  senior-warden,  who  finally 
assumed  the  whole  expense  of  the  undertaking.  It  was 
proposed  to  erect  a  chapel  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
city,  and  to  sustain  it  as  a  free  church  and  mission.  The 
disastrous  fire  of  1848  put  a  stop  to  the  circulation  of 
the  subscription  paper  which  had  been  commenced,  and 
nothing  was  accomplished.  A  sketch  of  the  chapel  in- 
tended to  be  built  had  been  obtained  from  Mr.  Frank 
Wills,  an  admirable  architect,  and  estimates  in  accord- 
ance with  it  had  been  made,  the  material  to  be  of  brick, 
and  the  edifice  to  be  as  inexpensive  as  possible.  The 
means  to  build  with  were  not  forthcoming.  Eventually 
Mr.  William  H.  De  Witt,  who  had  taken  a  leading  part 
in  the  enterprise  from  the  commencement,  assumed  the 
entire  cost  and  charge  of  the  work,  having  already  given 
the  site  for  the  building. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  church  was  laid  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  the  Bishop  of  Maryland,  June  7,  1849,  with  the 
usual  services,  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  clergymen, 


INTERIOR  OF  THE 

CHURCH  OF  THE  HOLY  INNOCENTS. 


Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents.  433 

the  Rev.  Dr.  Kip  delivering  an  address.  The  work  on 
the  building  was  pushed  forward  with  energy,  by  Messrs. 
Orr  &  Cunningham,  masons;  Mr.  Stuart  and  Mr.  Par- 
sons, wood-workers.  Being  the  first  specimen  of  proper 
Early  English  architecture,  in  the  city,  the  edifice  was  an 
object  of  curiosity  to  many  besides  those  who  felt  a 
deeper  interest  in  it  in  view  of  the  sacred  purposes  which 
it  was  to  subserve. 

On  Sexagesima  Sunday,  A.  D.  1850,  being  the  3d  of 
February,  the  church,  being  entirely  completed  and  ar- 
ranged, it  was  first  opened  for  the  solemn  services  to 
which  it  was  ever  after  to*  be  appropriated.  The  Rev. 
Sylvanus  Reed,  who  had  taken  the  charge  of  the  parish, 
officiated  and  preached  on  this  occasion. 

The  legal  organization  of  the  parish  in  accordapce 
with  the  statutes  of  the  state  of  New  York,  took  place  on 
the  16th  of  February,  1850.     The  wardens  and  vestry- 
men elected  at  that  time  were  the  following: 
Wardens. — William  H.  De  Witt,  John  Buckbee. 
Vestrymen. — Robert  Server,  John  D.  Parsons,  John  H. 
Bowne,  E.  H.  Clarke,    Joshua  Rathbun,  S.  H.  H.  Par- 
sons, Esq.,  Wm.  Headlam,  and  Wm.  Lacy. 

And  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  vestry,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Reed  was  elected  to  the  Rectorship  of  the  church. 

The  certificate  of  the  incorporation  of  the  parish  hav- 
ing been  laid  before  the  standing  committee  of  the  dio- 
cese of  New  York,  it  was  formally  approved  by  them  on 
the  13th  of  June;  and  it  was  admitted  to  union  with  the 
convention  of  the  diocese  at  the  Special  meeting  of  con- 
vention, in  November,  1850.* 

The  congregation  had  not  yet  been  gathered,  but  as 
soon  as  the  church  was  opened,  those  who  signified  to  the 
Rector  their  desire  to  become  members  of  the  parish  were 
registered  and  visited  by  him. 

The  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  first 
celebrated  on  Sunday  the  17th  of  February,  to  about 

*An  oversight  in  the  execution  of  the  form  of  incorporation  pre- 
vented the  admission  of  the  parish  into  tbe  convention  at  its  meeting 
September,  1850. 


434  Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents. 

twenty  persons,  there  being  then  about  thirty  families  in 
the  congregation.  Holy  baptism  was  administered  to  an 
adult  at  evening  prayer  on  the  same  day.  A  daily  service 
was  for  some  time  celebrated.  The  Sunday  school  was 
organized  at  the  close  of  the  year,  in  a  school  room  fur- 
nished by  Mr.  De  Witt. 

The  entire  property,  consisting  of  two  lots  of  ground, 
and  of  the  church  edifice,  with  its  furniture,  was  conveyed 
by  a  perpetual  lease  to  the  corporation,  legally  formed, 
of  the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestry  of  the  Church  of  the 
Holy  Innocents,  upon  condition  that  the  church  should 
always  be  occupied  by,  and  used  in  the  services  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  church;  that  its  sittings  should 
always  be  free ;  that  its  donors  should  have  the  care  of 
the  grounds,  edifice  and  furniture,  and  temporalities,  the 
privilege  of  enlarging  the  building,  and  of  nominating  to 
the  rectorship.  The  donors  also  reserved  the  right  of  re- 
entering  the  premises  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  them 
to  any  other  corporation  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  the 
city ;  or  to  a  chartered  school ;  without,  however,  divert- 
ing the  church  from  the  sacred  uses,  originally  intended, 
or  altering  its  character  as  a  Free  church.  A  reservation 
of  a  right  of  nomination  to  the  rectorship,  to  the  donors 
and  their  heirs  (said  heirs  to  be  of  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  and  communicants  in  the  P.  E.  church),  was,  sub- 
sequently by  formal  release,  changed  to  a  right  to  descend 
to  their  issue;  and  was  limited  to  three  nominations  and 
required  to  be  exercised  within  a  year  from  the  occur- 
rence of  a  vacancy.  They  also  reserved  the  right  to  erect 
a  free  school  on  any  part  of  the  church  lot. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  the  consecration  of  the 
church  in  July,  1850;  but  the  illness  of  Bishop  Whitting- 
ham  prevented  its  taking  place  at  that  time,  although 
the  clergy  and  people  were  assembled  in  the  church.* 

^Opposition  was  made  to  the  consecration  of  the  church  and  a  pro- 
test against  the  Bishop's  proceeding  was  presented  to  him,  signed  by 
three  clergymen  of  the  city,  one  of  whom  some  time  after  formally 
retracted  bis  part  in  it.  The  ground  of  the  opposition  was,  the  na- 
ture of  the  reservations  to  the  donors,  and  their  heirs,  and  it  was 
alleged  that  the  deed  of  conveyance  had  been  altered  from  the  form  in 


Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents.  435 

The  solemn  services  of  consecration  were  performed  on 
the  3d  September,  1850,  by  Bishop  Whittingham,  of  the 
Diocese  of  Maryland.*  There  were  present  and  assist- 
ing in  the  services,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Potter,!  rector  of  St. 
Peter's,  Albany;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  CroswellJ  of  Boston, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Williams§  of  Connecticut,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Reed,  rector  of  the  parish,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Geer,  Arey, 
and  Babcock.  The  request  to  consecrate  was  presented 
and  read  by  the  Rector,  the  Sentence  of  Consecration  ||  was 

which  it  had  been  drawn  up  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Spencer,  and  assented  to, 
as  satisfactory,  on  the  first  opening  of  the  church.  The  allegation 
was  unfounded.  The  deed  was  made  out  in  the  office  of  J.  V.  L. 
Pruyn,  Esq.,  and  is  a  verbatim  copy  of  the  original  draft  made 
by  Mr.  J.  C.  Spencer,  and  admitted  by  him  to  contain  nothing 
which  could  prevent  the  cocsecration.  The  Bishop  received  the 
protest-,  but  on  a  conference  with  the  donors,  the  right  of  nomination 
to  the  rectorship  was  limited  (as  by  the  release  above),  when  he  de 
termined  on  proceeding. 

*The  Bishop  of  Maryland  was  at  that  time  performing  Episcopal 
functions  in  the  diocese  of  New  Y>rk,  at  the  request  of  the  ecclesias- 
tical authority,  during  the  disability  of  the  Diocesan. 

t  Provisional  Bishop  of  New  York,  1854. 

pied  1851. 

§  Assistant  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  1851. 

||  In  the  Name  of  the  Holy,  Blessed  and  undivided  Trinity,  God  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

Whereas  the  Rector,  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Cnurch 
of  Holy  Innocents  in  the  city  of  Albany,  have  by  an  instrument  this 
day  presented  to  me  appropriated  and  devoted  a  house  of  pu  lie  wor- 
ship erected  by  William  Henry  De  Witt  and  Ann  his  wife,  on  the 
south  east  corner  of  North  Pearl  and  Colonie  streets,  in  the  said  city 
of  Albany,  to  the  worship  and  service  of  Almighty  God,  the  Father, 
the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the 
Catholic  Church  of  CHRIST,  known  as  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  in  these  United  States  of  America,  in  its  ministry,  doctrines, 
liturgy,  rites  and  usages,  and  by  a  congregation  in  communion  with 
said  church,  and  in  union  with  tne  convention  thereof  in  the  Diocese 
of  New  York. 

And  whereas  the  same  Rector,  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen, 
have,  by  the  same  instrument,  requested  me  to  receive  the  said  build- 
ing in  behalf  of  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York,  under  the 
spiritual  jurisdiction  of  the  said  Bishop,  and  that  of  his  successors  in 
office,  and  to  const-crate  tbe  same  by  the  name  of  the  Church  of  the 
Holy  Innocents,  and  thereby  separate  it  from  all  unhallowed,  worldly 


436  Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents. 

read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Williams.  The  Bishop  proceeded 
with  great  solemnity,  through  the  appointed  prayers, 
after  which  the  services  of  morning  prayer  and  the 
Holy  Communion  were  celebrated;  the  bishop  preaching, 
and  consecrating  the  Holy  Eucharist.  The  first  confirm- 

and  common  uses,  and  solemnly  dedicate  it  to  the  holy  purposes  above 
mentioned. 

Now  therefore,  know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  I,  William 
Rollinson  Whittingham,  Bishop  of  Maryland,  and  now  administering 
Episcopal  functions  in  the  Diocese  of  New  York,  at  the  request  of  the 
Standing  Committee  of  the  said  Diocese,  acting  under  the  protection 
of  Almighty  GOD,  and  in  His  faith  and  fear,  have  on  this  third  day 
of  September,  being  the  Tuesday  after  the  Fourteenth  Sunday  afer 
Trinity,  in  the  year  of  our  LORD  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
fifty,  in  behalf  of  the  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in 
the  Diocese  of  New  York,  and  of  his  successors  in  office,  accepted  and 
do  accept,  the  above  mentioned  house  of  worship,  and  take  the  same 
under  the  spiritual  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  New  York  aforesaid, 
and  that  of  his  successors  in  office,  and  in  presence  of  divers  of  the 
clergy  and  a  public  congregation  therein  assembled,  and  according 
to  the  godly  usage  of  the  Catholic  Church  of  CHRIST  and  the  form 
prescribed  by  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  have  consecrated  the  same  by  the  name  of  the  Church  of 
the  Holy  Innocents. 

And  I  do  hereby  pronounce  and  declare  that  the  said  Church  of  the 
Holy  Innocents,  in  the  city  of  Albany,  is  consecrated  accordingly,  and 
thereby  separated  henceforth  from  all  unhallowed,  worldly  and  com- 
mon nse?,  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  and  service  of  Almighty  G<>D, 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  reading  and  preaching 
His  holy  word,  for  celebrating  His  holy  sacraments,  for  offering  to 
His  glorious  majesty  the  sacrifices  of  prayer,  praise  and  thanksgiving, 
for  blessing  His  people  in  His  name,  and  for  the  performance  of  all 
other  holy  offices  and  the  administration  of  all  holy  ordinances  agree- 
able to  His  will  made  known  in  the  terms  of  the  covenant  of  Grace 
and  Salvation  in  our  LORD  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  accorling  to 
the  usages  of  His  holy  Catholic  and  Apostolic  church  and  the  provi- 
sions of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  its  ministry,  doctrines,  liturgy,  rites  and  usages. 

In  t^simony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  affixed  my  Episcopal  seal 
and  signature  in  the  day  and  year  above  written,  and  in  the  tenth 
year  of  my  consecration. 


(Signed) 
M  ROL 


[L.  S.]  WILLIAM  ROLLINSON  WHITTINGHAM, 

Bishop  of  Maryland, 

administering  Episcopal  functions  in  the  Diocese  of  New  York  at  the 
request  of  the  Standing  Committee. 


Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents  437 

ation  in  the  parish  was  held  by  him  on  this  occasion, 
when  he  administered  the  Laying  on  of  hands  to  sixteen 
persons.* 

The  church  was  designed  by  Mr.  Frank  Wills,  an  archi- 
tect educated  in  England,  and  one  of  the  most  accom- 
plished men  in  his  profession.! 

The  following  description  of  the  edifice  is  taken  from 
Mr.  Wills'  work  on  Architecture  (Stanford  &  Swords, 
N.  Y.,  1850): 

"  The  Chancel  is  eighteen  feet  by  twenty  feet  in  the 
clear.  The  Nave  fifty-eight  feet  by  twenty-eight  feet. 
In  the  Chancel  are  Altar,  Sedilia,  Credence,  Bishop's 
Chair,  Stalls,  Altar-rails,  and  Lecturn.  The  Sacristy  is 
on  the  south  side,  and  the  Pulpit  in  the  S.  E.  angle  of  the 
Nave  is  entered  from  it  through  a  doorway  in  the  east 
wall  of  the  Nave.  The  roofs  are  open,  of  pine,  of  the 
best  quality:  the  carved  ribs  and  purlins  are  all  molded, 
the  former  resting  on  handsome  corbels.  The  FontJ  is 
of  Caen  stone,  after  the  beautiful  one  of  S.  Mary's,  Ox- 
ford, and  is  situated  between  the  Porch  and  west  door- 
ways. The  Organ,  of  fine  rich  tone,  manufactured  by 
Mr.  Jardine,  is  placed  in  a  gallery  at  the  west  end.  The 
seats,  as  well  as  all  the  chancel  furniture  and  pulpit  are 
of  black  walnut. 

"  All  the  windows  are  filled  with  colored  glass,  with- 
out doubt  the  best  imitation  of  old  English  art  yet  exe- 
cuted in  this  country.  The  east  window  is  a  rich  mosaic 
pattern,  with  the  Crucifixion  and  the  symbols  of  the  Four 
Evangelists  within  foliated  and  geometrical  borders.  The 
side  windows  of  Chancel  (and  the  four  lancets  in  the  west 
front)  are  taken  from  some  remains  of  ancient  glass  in 
Salisbury  Cathedral.  Those  of  the  Nave  are  of  modified 

*  There  have  been  confirmed  in  this  parish  (Jan.  1859),  132  per- 
sons. 

t  Mr.  Wills  was  the  architect  of  St.  Ann's,  Fredericton,  and  of  a 
number  of  fine  churches  in  the  United  States.  His  last  work  was 
the  Cathedral  of  Montreal,  which  was  scarcely  begun  when  he  diedt 
at  Montreal. 

J  The  Font  was  wrought  in  Exeter,  England,  for  this  Church. 


438  Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents. 

design.  Mr.  Bolton*  is  the  artist  who  executed  this 
work.  In  the  north  wall  of  chancel  is  a  marble  Tablet 
commemorating  the  Founder's  children;  their  four  names 
are  inscribed  each  within  a  wreath  of  lilies  of  the  valley, 
at  the  foot  is  a  lamb  sleeping,  at  the  apex  is  a  cross  fleuri, 
the  whole  being  encircled  with  a  hood  moulding.'* 

The  Communion  Plate  consists  of  a  Flagon,  a  Chalice, 
and  Paten,  all  of  silver,  of  appropriate  design  and  hand- 
somely engraved  and  chased;  the  interior  of  the  Chalice 
being  richly  gilt.  These  pieces  were  furnished  by  the 
Founder.  At  the  Feast  of  Epiphany,  1859,  a  costly 
Alms  Basin,  of  silver,  gilt,  was  presented  to  the  Parish. 
It  bears  the  Offering  of  the  Magi,  engraved  in  the  centre, 
and  around  the  border  the  text,  "  For  all  things  come  of 
Thee,  and  of  Thine  Own  have  we  given  Thee."  This 
was  given  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Clarke. 

A  fine  bell  hangs  in  the  bell  gable. 

The  Nave  bears  the  Te  Deum  in  illuminated  letters, 
running  around  the  walls.  Over  the  chancel  arch  is  the 
text,  illuminated,  '« Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of 
the  Shadow  of  Death,  I  will  fear  no  evil;  for  Thou  art 
with  me,  Thy  rod  and  Thy  staff  they  comfort  me." 

The  roof  of  the  chancel  has  been  beautifully  painted 
and  ornamented,  with  a  blue  ground,  bearing  stars  in 
gold  and  white  lilies. 

The  following  are  the  members  of  the  Vestry  in  the 
year  1859: 

Wardens.— Wm.  H.  De  Witt,  E.  H.  De  Witt. 

Vestrymen. — R.  Server,  J.  Eathbun,  J.  H.  Bowne,  G. 
T.  Bratt,  T.  Young,  W.  Mason,  T.  Becket,  A.  H.  De 
Witt. 

John  Gregory  has  been  Sacristan  of  the  church  since 
1851. 

The  Rector  reports  to  the  Bishop  at  the  Diocesan  Con- 
vention, Sep.  1858,  as  follows  (Journal  of  Convention, 
Diocese  of  New  York,  1858): 

Families,  125;    Individuals,    500;    Baptisms  (for  the 

*0f  New  Rochelle,  NT.  Y. 


Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents.  439 

year),  adults  2,  infants  34;  confirmed,  24;  marriages,  5; 
burials,  26;  communicants,  144;  Sunday  School  Teach- 
ers, 16;  Sunday  scholars,  160. 

The  Parish  has  been  sustained  as  a  Free  Church  with- 
out pew  rents,  the  Congregation  supplying  the  support 
by  voluntary  Offerings,  at  the  time  of  Divine  Service. 
For  all  the  tokens  of  His  favour  towards 
this  Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents, 
Thanks  be  to  GOD. 


(440) 


THIRD  REF.  PROT.  DUTCH  CHURCH. 


The  third  Dutch  Church  of  Albany  was  organized  on 
the  19th  day  of  December,  1834,  under  an  act  of  the 
legislature  entitled  "  An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorpora- 
tion of  religious  societies."  On  the  3d  of  December,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Ferris  received  an  appointment  from  the 
Classis  of  Albany,  to  organize  a  Dutch  church,  and 
in  consequence  of  such  appointment  notice  was  given  in 
the  church  edifice  in  Westerlo  st.,*  two  successive  Sab- 
baths, (according  to  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  of 
the  denomination)  that  all  persons  desirous  of  being  or- 
ganized into  a  third  Dutch  church  should  produce  the 
necessary  dismissions  from  other  churches.  A  number 
were  received,  and  the  individuals  first  assembled  re- 
solved on  the  style  of  the  "Third  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church  in  the  City  of  Albany."  Edmund  S.  Her- 
rick,  William  C.  Miller,  and  Nathan  Lyman  were  chosen 
the  first  elders  of  the  church,  and  John  Van  Schaack 
and  James  C.  Spencer,  deacons.  Application  having 
been  made,  the  new  church  was  received  under  the  care 
of  the  Classis  of  Albany,  in  January  1835.  The  Rev. 
Edwin  Holmes,  of  Livingston,  was  now  invited  to  be- 
come their  pastor,  and  he  commenced  his  labors  on  the 
26th  of  the  same  month. 

A  suitable  location  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city 
was  at  once  sought  as  a  permanent  site  for  a  building. 
Through  the  liberality  of  the  late  Patroon,  (Hon.  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer),  the  land  on  which  the  present  edifice 
stands  was  secured,  upon  certain  conditions,  and  in  the 
summer  of  1835,  the  plans  submitted  by  H.  Rector,  Ar- 
chitect, were  adopted.  The  estimated  cost  of  the  build- 
ing was  $15.000,  and  a  subscription  to  secure  that  amount 
was  circulated  among  the  friends  of  the  church.  The 

*  This  edifice  was  destroyed  by  fire,  April  24,  1848. 


THIRD  REFORMED  PROTESTANT  DUTCH  CHURCH. 
Rebuilt  in  1842. 


Tfcrd  Ref.Pr'*  Dutch  Church.  441 

corner  stone  of  the  new  cl'iice  was  laid  by  Christian 
Miller/  on  the  20th  of  April,  1837,  on  which  occasion 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Ferris  delive.  ed  an  add- ess.  In  spite  of 
many  and  serious  obstacles,  the  trustees  pushed  forward 
the  work  of  building,  and  in  the  summe*-of  the  next  year 
the  church  was  formally  dedicated. 

Mr.  Holmes  resigned  his  charge  in  October,  1840. 
Rev.  Dr.  Andrew  Yates  of  Schenectady  succeeded  him 
as  a  temporary  pastor.  The  debt  of  the  church  had  be- 
come quite  large,  and  the  congregation  discouraged.  Dr. 
Yates  labored  with  a  most,  devoted  zeal  to  procure  the 
extinguishment  of  the  debt,  but  in  the  midst  of  his  efforts, 
which  were  by  no  means  unsuccessful,  the  church  build- 
ing was  destroyed  by  fire.  This  event  took  place  on  the 
28th  of  September,  1841,  at  noon.  The  difficulties 
against  which  they  had  contended,  and  now,  the  de- 
struction of  the  church  property  well  nigh  disheartened 
them,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  counsels  and  prayers 
of  Dr.  Yates,  the  enterprise  would  in  all  probability  have 
been  abandoned.  But  as  has  been  said  of  him — he  could 
not  be  discouraged. 

The  former  building  having  been  insured,  the  claims 
against  it  were  now  paid  up,  and  renewed  efforts  made 
for  its  reconstruction.  These  efforts  were  entirely  suc- 
cessful, and  in  the  course  of  the  next  summer  the  con- 
gregation took  possession  of  their  new  church. 

About  one  month  previous  to  the  destruction  of  the 
church,  the  congregation  had  invited  Rev.  William  H. 
Campbell,  of  Flatbush,  to  become  their  pastor.  He  ac- 
cepted the  call,  and  was  installed  in  the  Second  Dutch 
church  on  the  1st  Sabbath  in  Nov.  1841.  The  sermon  on 
that  occasion  was  preached  by  Prof.  McClelland.  Under 
the  guidance  of  divine  providence,  the  ministrations  of 
Dr.  Campbell,  both  in  spiritual  and  temporal  affairs,  were 
conducted  in  a  manner  which  evinced  satisfactorily  that 
he  bore  most  worthily  the  mantle  of  Dr.  Yates.  After 
a  pastorate  of  about  seven  years  he  was  compelled  to 

*  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  had  been  invited  to  perform  this  ceremony, 
but  declined  on  account  of  the  state  of  his  health. 
[Annals,  x.]  38 


442  Third  Ref.  Prof.  Dutch  Church. 

seek  employment  less  laborious,  and  the  position  of  Prin- 
cipal of  the  Albany  Academy,  as  successor  to  Dr.  Beck, 
having  been  tendered  to  him,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  accept 
it.  On  the  8th  of  September,  1848,  his  pastoral  con- 
nection with  the  church  was  dissolved. 

Rev.  Rutgers  Van  Brunt  was  invited  to  become  pastor, 
Nov.  4,  1848,  and  he  accepted  the  call.  After  a  brief 
ministration  he  resigned,  April  17,  1849.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  William  W.  Halloway,  who  was  called 
on  the  27th  of  June,  and  remained  pastor  until  April  12, 
1853,  when  he  accepted  a  flattering  invitation  to  organize 
and  maintain  a  Dutch  Church  in  a  new  and  flourishing 
part  of  Brooklyn. 

The  Rev.  Alex.  Dickson  succeeded  Mr.  Halloway  on 
the  10th  of  October,  1853.  He  is  the  present  pastor, 
highly  esteemed  and  beloved. 

A  device  for  a  seal  was  adopted  January  26,  1835, 
viz:  An  anchor  surrounded  with  the  words,  Third  R.  P. 
D.  Church,  Albany. 

The  following  table  will  exhibit  the  growth  of  the 
Church  since  its  organization: 

Names  of  those  who  have  been  admitted  to  the  Member- 
ship of  the  Church. 

1834.  Mrs.  Daniel  Curtis, 

Edmund  S.  Herrick,  Nathan  Lyman, 

Mrs.  Edmund  S.  Herrick,  Mrs.  Heruan  C.  Whelpley, 

James  C.  Spencer,  Angelica  Van  Derzee, 

Mrs.  James  C.  Spencer,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Netterville, 

John  Van  Schaack,  Joseph  Curtis. 
Mrs.  John  Van  Schaack, 
William  C.  Miller,  1835. 

Mrs.  William  C.  Miller,  ON  CONFESSION. 

James  F.  Linacre,  Mrs.  Thomas  Wilkinson, 

Mrs.  James  F.  Linacre,  John  McCrossan, 

Harmanus  Van  Ingen,  Mrs.  John  McCrossan, 
Mrs.  Harmanus  Van  Ingen,  Asa  B.  Nellegar, 

Daniel  Curtis,  Mrs.  Asa  B.  Nellegar, 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


443 


Mrs.  A.  N.  Cuyler, 
Mrs.  0.  Eggleston, 
Mrs.  E.  Miner, 
Christina  Van  Derzee, 
Mrs.  Thomas  Linacre, 
Mary  Parker. 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

E.  B.  Colburn, 
Mrs.  Mary  Hoyt, 
J.  T.  Whitbeck, 
Mrs.  J.  T.  Whitbeck, 
Samuel  Steele, 
Mrs.  Samuel  Steele, 
Betsey  Buttrick, 
Betsey  Steele, 
Elvira  Steele, 
Mrs.  C.  Holmes, 
Charles  A.  Keeler, 
Mrs.  Charles  A.  Keeler, 
Ann  Maria  Spencer, 
Mrs.  S.  T.  Thorn, 
Jacob  Van  Alstyne, 
Mrs.  Wm.  O'Brien, 
Horace  Allen, 
Mrs.  Horace  Allen, 
Jane  Pierson, 
Caroline  Allen, 
Mrs.  Hugh  Boyd, 
Elizabeth  D.  Kenyon, 
Mrs.  Abram  Van  Zandt, 
Mrs.  Nathan  Lyman. 
Mrs.  F.  P.  Malburn, 
Mrs.  P.  Colburn, 
Lois  Reed, 
P.  P.  Conine, 
Mrs.  P   P.  Conine, 
Mrs.  H.  Smith, 
Mrs.  G.  W.  Van  Wie, 
A.  T.  McCaughry, 


Eytchy  Cook, 
Mrs.  A.  Stewart. 
Mrs.  H.  Blake. 

1836. 

ON   CONFESSION. 

Harriet  L.  Sickles, 
Mrs.  Isaac  Arnold, 
Robert  Hillis, 
Samuel  Paul, 
Mrs.  F.  fielding, 
Mrs.  Geo.  Pruyn. 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

John  Weaver, 
Mrs.  John  Weaver, 
Mrs.  Jas.  Robinson, 
Mrs.  J.  Waddle, 
Hannah  Woodbury, 
Peter  Van  Ness, 
Mrs,  Peter  Van  Ness, 
Cornelia  C.  Van  Deusen, 
Mrs.  Rich.  Cooke, 
Mrs.  H.  Boothe. 

1837. 

Wm.  Lansing, 
Mrs.  Wm.  Lansing, 
Catharine  Staats. 
Mrs.  Samuel  Paul, 
Mrs.  H.  H.  Hickcox, 
Miss  L.  M.  Hickcox, 

Mrs. Warner. 

C.  Freeman. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  Robt.  Hillis, 
Julia  Van  Zandt, 
Catharine  Boyd, 


444 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


Thomas  Linacre, 

Mrs.  J.  Vanderhoff, 

Mrs.  A.  Fanning, 

Mrs.  G.  R.  Van  Zandt, 

Mrs.  Alex.  Finley, 

Mrs.  C.  J.  Cuyler, 

Mrs.  J.  A.  Vanderburgh, 

John  G.  Burdix, 

Mrs.  John  G.  Burdix, 

Christina  F.  Miller, 

Mrs.  Dan'l  VanValkenburg. 

1838. 

C.  P.  Weaver, 
Mrs.  A.  Abel, 
Mrs.  Dan'l  Dobbs, 
Mrs.  J.  Bradt, 
Eunice  Woodbury, 
Mrs.  C.  Marsh, 
Hannah  Jackson. 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

Mrs.  P.  D.  Burhans, 
Mary  A.  Beekman, 
Cornelia  Beekman, 
Eliza  Holt, 
David  Holt, 
Mrs.  David  Holt, 
Mrs.  Wm.  Brown, 
E.  Spencer, 
Mrs.  E.  Spencer, 
Fruton  Pratt, 
Peter  Van  Buren, 
Mrs.  Peter  Van  Buren, 
Mrs.  E.  Willett, 
Ann  E.  Willett, 
Joseph  Curtis, 
Mrs.  L.  G.  Hoffman, 
Peter  Vallantine, 


Mrs.  Peter  Vallantine, 
Mrs.  C.  Van  Buren, 
Mrs.  James  Taylor, 
Mary  Brodhead. 

1839. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  F.  Lay, 
John  Strother, 
Mrs.  John  Strother, 
Julia  E.  Green, 
Ann  Holt, 
Hannah  S.  Abbott, 
Harriet  J.  Steele, 
Mrs.  R.  P.  Herrick. 
L.  Davidson, 
Mrs.  L.  Davidson, 
Mary  T.  Wands, 
Caroline  Pendleton. 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

George  Crook, 
Mrs.  Geo.  Crook, 
Mary  Wilson, 
Charlotte  Rowe, 
Elizabeth  Boyd, 
J.  W.  Bulkley, 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Bulkley, 
Emily  Malory, 
Mrs.  John  Whitbeck, 
Robt.  Hutchinson, 
Mrs.  Robt.  Hutchinson, 
Mrs.  Jno.  Gordon, 
Mrs.  T.  Irwin. 

1840. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

Jane  P.  Allen, 
Mrs.  Jer.  Austin, 
Deborah  Gardinier, 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


445 


Rebecca  Conine, 
Mrs.  F.  Withers, 
Lansing  Pendleton, 
Mrs.  L.  Pendleton, 
Marg't  G.  Vandenburg, 
Nancy  Van  Ness, 
Nancy  Siver, 
E.  S.  Van  Buren, 
Mrs.  E.  S.  Van  Buren, 
Mrs.  Wm.  Day, 
I.  L.  K.  Miller, 
Mary  G.  Day, 
Mary  E.  Lay, 
Mrs.  M.  L.  Rogers, 
W.  A.  Miller. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Silas  Barton, 
Mrs.  Silas  Barton, 
Rachel  McLusky, 
Caroline  Woodbridge, 
Mrs.  N.  J.  Vischer, 
Catharine  A.  Glen, 
John  Gordon. 

1841. 

David  Burhans, 
Mrs.  D.  Burhans, 
Sarah  Van  Zandt, 
Mrs.  Maria  Maybee, 
L.  G.  Burgess, 
Mrs.  L.  G.  Burgess. 

1842. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

S.  W.  Haley, 
Mrs.  S.  W.  Haley, 
Mrs.  C.  B.  W.  Lansing, 
Mrs.  George  McKenzie, 


Ann  Hickcox. 
Mrs.  J.  Gillespie, 
Mr.  Sam'l  Wright, 
Rosiller  Haley. 
James  Taylor, 
Mrs.  S.  Hutchins. 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

Wm.  H.  Scott, 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Scott, 
Mrs.  H.  Brown, 
Mrs.  A.  E.  Darrow, 
Mrs.  G.  Ackerman, 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Campbell, 
Lydia  Sherwood. 
Mrs.  Jno.  Burgess, 
Mrs.  Jno.  Albright, 
Mrs.  A.  McAllister, 
Mrs.  E.  Hubbard, 
Mrs.  L.  Dagget, 
Teressa  Dagget, 
Mary  Dagget, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Wells. 
S.  A.  Sherwood, 
Mrs.  S.  A.  Sherwood, 
Chs.  Bailie, 
Mrs.  C.  Bailee, 
Betty  Ann  Bailee. 

1843. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  W.  R.  Hills, 
Mrs.  Jas.  ftJeCormick, 
Mrs.  A.  Cooke, 
Mrs.  J.  V.  Sternberg, 
Mrs.  L.  D.  Abel, 
Lawson  Ewing, 
Mrs.  Lawson  Ewing, 
Jeremiah  Whitehead, 


446 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


Joseph  S.  Curtis, 
Mrs.  S.  J.  Bushnell, 
Sophia  Leverick, 
Ellen  Schoonmaker, 
Theodore  Keeler, 
Mrs.  Theodore  Keeler, 
Lucy  Ann  Hills, 
Lewis  G.  Hoffman, 
Mrs.  G.  Van  Zandt, 
John  Thompkins, 
Mrs.  John  Thompkins. 
Mrs.  James  Stewart, 
Margt.  A.  Robinson, 
Edwin  Hubbard. 
Mrs.  H.  Durrie, 
Mrs.  Wm.  More. 
Mrs.  L.  Abbott, 
Mrs.  Margt.  Kenyon, 
John  D.  W.  Wemple, 
C.  J.  Cuyler. 
Catharine  Miller. 
Sam.  Wright, 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

Lambert -Norton, 
Mrs.  L.  Norton, 
Ann  Smith, 
Jonas  Whiting, 
Mrs.  J.  Whiting, 
Wm.  Ingraham, 
Mrs.  Wm.  Ingraham, 
Susan  Brooks, 
Catharine  Lansing, 
Cornelia  Lansing, 
Glen  Van  Rensselaer, 
Mrs.  A.  Starr, 
B.  E.  Hayden, 
Mrs.  B.  E.  Hayden, 
W.  McKnight, 


Mrs.  W.  McKnight, 
Mrs.  S.  Cone, 
Mrs.  W.  Cooper, 
C.  P.  Robinson, 
Gilbert  Van  Zandt, 
John  0.  Dey, 
Mrs.  John  0.  Dey. 

Miss Ross. 

Mrs.  P.  Snyder, 
Mary  A.  Hatcher, 
Mrs   J.  Whitehead, 
James  Lansing, 
Mrs.  Jas.  Lansing, 

1844. 

ON    CERTIFICATE 

J.  De  Forest, 
Mrs.  P.  Ahern, 
Mrs.  E.  G.  Cheesboro, 
John  S.  Whitehead, 
Mrs.  J.  S.  Whitehead, 
Oliver  Bow, 
Mrs.  0.  Bow, 
Mrs.  C.  Smyth, 
Mrs.  John  McKnight. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

Josiah  Gellespie, 
Mary  G.  Courtney, 
Mary  Yates, 
S.  G.  Mink, 
Mrs.  S.  G.  Mink, 
Mrs.  J.  Mix, 
Mrs.  H.  Mitchell, 
David  Smith. 

1845. 
Mrs.  John  Summers. 

ON    CERTIFICATE. 

Dan.  S.  Durrie, 
Josiah  Breakay. 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


447 


ON   CERTIFICATE. 

A.  Burr  Aiken, 
Mrs.  A.  B.  Aiken. 
Mrs.  H.  L.  Hubbard, 
Clementina  Don, 
John  Arrowsmith, 
Mrs.  J.  Arrowsmith, 
Mrs.  C.  Lee. 

1846. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  J.  Curtis, 
Sarah  K.  Miller. 

1847. 

ON   CONFESSION. 

Helen  M.  Whipple, 
Mrs.  J.  Benton, 
Mrs.  0.  Van  Benthuysen, 
Wm.  L.  Strother. 
Miss  E.  B.  Curtis, 
Mrs.  A.  Hamilton. 
Mrs.  S.  Wilson, 
Mrs.  S.  Hitchcook, 
Eliza  Hutchinson. 

ON  CERTIFICATE.     - 

G.  H.  Cook, 
Mrs.  G.  H.  Cook. 
Mrs.  E.  B.  Colburn, 
Joseph  Curtis. 
Wm.  Egginton, 
Mrs.  Wm.  Egginton. 

1848. 

ON   CONFESSION. 

E.  W.  Grosvener, 
Harriet  Moore, 
James  Dornet. 


ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Lambert  Norton, 
Mrs.  L.  Norton, 
Catharine  Frost, 
Mrs.  P.  Nichols, 
Mrs.  S.  F.  Romaine. 

1849. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Edw'd  S.  Willett, 
F.  H.  Griswold, 
Mrs.  F.  H.  Griswold, 
Mrs.  Jesse  Elder. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Mrs.  S.  A.  Aisdale, 
Mrs.  R.  R.  Haswell, 
Miss  E.  McCuen, 
Miss  Catalina  Haswell. 

1850. 

ON   CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  T.  Danay, 
Mrs.  J.  Kennedy, 
Wm.  N.  Staats, 
Hannah  Staats, 
Mary  E.  Hills. 

ON     CERTIFICATE. 

Charles  Lee, 
Mrs.  H.  Wheeler, 
Mrs.  W.  A.  Miller, 
Levi  Relyea, 
Mrs.  L.  Relyea, 
Mary  A.  Whalen, 
Maria  H.  Moakley, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Valentine, 
Elizabeth  A.  Carrighan, 
Mrs.  Hannah  Thomas. 


448 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Chu  rch. 


1851. 


ON    CERTIFICATE. 

Jaines  L.  Babcock, 
Mrs.  M.  Halenbeck, 
Nancy  Makenny, 
Elizabeth  Harrington, 
Mis.  M.  Ostrander, 
Mrs.  E.  Ostrander, 
Miss  Mary  Ostrander, 
Mrs.  C.  Whitney, 
Mrs.  C.  S.  Hickcox. 
H.  B.  Van  Benthuysen, 
Mrs.  H.  B.  Van  Benthuysen, 
J.  H.  Zelie, 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Zelie, 
Mrs.  G.  Van  Rensselaer. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Sarah  Huey. 

Mrs.  J.  I.  Schoonmaker. 

P.  H.  Ostrander, 

Caroline  Herrick, 

Jane  Ann  Abel, 

Eliza  Lansing, 

Miss  E,  Kennedy, 

George  Clay, 

Ernest  J.  Miller, 

John  Strother, 

Mary  C.  V.  Stuart, 

Mary  Hickcox, 

Helen  E.  Hickcox, 

Mary  C.  Miller, 

Cornelia  Van  Rensselaer. 

1852. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Hugh  Mitchell, 
C.  S.  Hickcox, 
Abraham  Hoag, 


Susannah  Irwin, 
Mrs.  Mary  Valentyne. 
Wm.  R.  Summers, 
Sarah  M.  Burgess, 
Mrs.  S.  Miller. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Elmira  Bender. 
1853. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  W.  H.  Hughes, 
Emma  I.  Hughes, 
John  S.  Burgess. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Silas  Barton, 
Mrs.  S.  Barton. 

1854. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Mrs.  L.  Burhans. 
Mrs.  A.  Dickson, 
Mrs.  S.  Wood. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Mary  E.  Cook. 

1855. 

ON    CONFESSION. 

Ellen  Lansing, 
Antonette  Lansing, 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Crafts, 
Mrs.  G.  C.  Greer, 
Mrs.  —  Jeroloman, 
Mrs.  —  Hannah, 
James  Van  Steenburg, 
John  C.  Valentine, 
Robt.  Mitchell, 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


449 


Mrs.  E.  Bronk, 
Miss  M.  Ten  Eyck, 
Mr.  A.  Van  Quisling, 
Mrs.  A.  Van  Quisling, 
Mrs.  A.  Wetmore. 
Wm.  Frisbee, 

Catharine  Van  Rensselaer, 
Mary  Abell. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Mrs.  —  Classen, 
Mrs.  F.  N.  Sill. 

1856. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

Mrs.  E.  S.  Willet, 
Ann  E.  Willet, 
Mrs.  E.  Satterlee, 
E.  M.  C.  Craft, 
Mary  Walker, 
Margt  J.  Willet. 
John  H.  Hickcox, 
Sarah  Gardner, 
Louisa  Taylor, 
Isabella  Ewing, 
Esther  Dickson. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

C.  M.  Horton, 
Mrs.  C.  M.  Horton, 
Caroline  Dunspaugh. 
James  Walker. 

1857. 

ON  CONFESSION. 

C.  N.  Warner, 
Mrs.  C.  N.  Warner, 
A.  Le  Galley, 
Mrs.  A.  Le  Galley, 


Wm  H.  Hughes, 
Ann  E.  Hughes, 
Jane  E.  Hughes, 
Martha  J.  Curtis, 
Fanny  L.  Curtis, 
Eliza  G.  McKnight, 
Elizabeth  Mathews, 
Ann  Cook, 
Jane  Ewing, 
Robt.  Homer, 
Mrs.  T.  S.  Knight, 
Mrs.  H.  Mix. 
Mrs.  F.  W.  Moffatt, 
Mrs.  Jno.  H.  Hickcox, 
Lorana  Curtis, 
Sarah  K.  Smith, 
Elizabeth  W.  Smith. 
Wm.  T.  Valentine, 
James  Davidson, 
Mrs.  J.  Lansing, 
Sarah  Erwin. 
George  Hendric, 
Mary  W.  West, 
Mrs.  W.  Diamond. 

ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Jno.  Gardner, 
Mrs.  J.  Gardner, 
Henry  Ousterhout, 
Mrs.  H.  Ousterhout, 
Mrs.  M.  A.  Lockwood. 
Robt.  Evans, 
Gardiner  Hendric, 
Mrs.  G.  Hendric, 
Dan'l  Thomson, 
Mrs.  Dan'l  Thomson. 
Mrs.  J.  Davidson, 
Mrs.  W.  T.  Valentine. 


450 


1858. 


ON  CONFESSION, 

J.  L.  Bouck, 
Mrs.  J.  L.  Bouck, 
Mary  A.  Cooper, 
Martha  Cooper, 
Wm.  Diamond, 
Sam'l  Kinney. 
J.  W.  Beebe, 
J.  A.  Van  Buren, 
Mrs.  J.  Dickerman, 
Mrs.  C.  Crawford. 
Names  of  Elders  and 

ELDERS. 

Edmund  S.  Herrick, 
William  C.  Miller, 
Nathan  Lyman, 
Horace  Allen, 
Cha.  A  Keeler, 

Van  Alstyne, 

John  Van  Schaack, 
David  Holt, 
Elijah  Spenor, 
David  Burhans, 
Daniel  Curtis, 
Peter  Van  Buren, 
Jonas  Whiting, 
John  G.  Burdix, 
S.  G.  Mink, 
Leonard  G.  Burgess, 
Jereh.  Whitehead, 
John  Strother, 
James  Taylor, 
John  Gardner. 

DEACONS. 

John  Van  Schaack, 
James  C.  Spencer, 
Daniel  Curtis, 


Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church. 


Wm.  Gordon, 
Mrs.  J.  Edwards, 
Jane  Cooke, 
Margaret  Cooke. 


ON  CERTIFICATE. 

Mrs.  C.  McAllister, 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Burgess, 
Mrs.  Sam'l  Kinney, 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Houghtaling. 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Beebe. 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Miller. 

Deacons  since  the  organization  of 
the  Church. 

H.  Van  Ingen, 

Samuel  Steele, 

Peter  Van  Buren, 

John  G.  Burdix, 

Thomas  Linacre, 

S.  W.  Haley, 

James  Taylor, 

Joseph  Curtis, 

J.  D.  W.  Wemple, 

John  Ogden  Dey, 

George  H.  Cook, 

S.  G.  Mink, 

Leonard  G.  Burgess, 

Jereh.  Whitehead, 

Jereh.  Hoyle, 

F.  H.  Griswold, 

Edwd.  S.  Willett, 

J.  L.  Babcock, 

J.  H.  Zealie, 

John  Strother, 

Josiah  Gillespie, 

Lawson  Ewing, , 

John  Gardner, 

Calvin  N.  Warner, 

John  H.  Hickcox. 


MEMOIR  OF  JOHN  LOVETT. 


Mr.  Lovett  was  a  descendant  of  an  English  family  which,  immi- 
grated as  early  as  1640,  and  settled  in  a  beautiful  location  in  Connec- 
ticut, upon  the  Quinnebaug  river,  which  disembogues  into  the  Thames 
at  New  London.  It  originally  formed  a  part  of  the  town  of  Norwich, 
but  when  Lisbon  was  set  off  from  that  town,  it  was  included  in  the 
latter.  The  property  still  remains  in  the  possession  of  the  descend- 
ants of  the  original  owners,  its  ancient  burial  place  filled  with  monu- 
ments whose  inscriptions  are  so  worn  by  time  and  the  elements  that 
the  traditions  of  the  place  alone  tell  who  are  the  occupants.  Among 
them  is  seen  the  grave  of  a  "  Cadet  of  the  house  of  Lovat,"  who 
after  a  clandestine  marriage  with  a  granddaughter  of  the  Lord  Sands 
who  figures  in  Shakspeare'-s  play  of  Henry  VIII,  fled  to  this  country, 
where  they  found  a  resting  place  and  a  grave  amongst  those  of  their 
fellow  Puritans.  The  wildest  and  most  exciting  engagements  be- 
tween the  Pequot  and  Mohegan  tribes  and  the  early  settlers,  took 
place  in  this  vicinity.  These  may  have  fostered  the  military  spirit 
for  which  this  little  settlement  was  afterwards  noted.  On  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  Rev.  Andrew  Lee  gave  notice 
from  his  pulpit,  that  early  on  the  following  morning  a  meeting  was 
requested  of  every  male  member  of  his  congregation,  to  pray  for  the 
success  of  their  brethren  in  arms,  and  to  organize  a  body  of  volun- 
teers from  that  parish.  They  enrolled  themselves  almost  to  a  man, 
under  Captain  Lovett ;  the  pastor  also  went  with  them,  and  every 
female  assisted  in  fitting  them  out.  It  was  in  the  midst  of  this  and 
other  similar  scenes  that  Mr.  Lovett  received  his  first  impressions. 
Distinguished  for  precocity  of  mind,  extraordinary  memory,  and  the 
great  progress  he  made  in  his  studies,  he  was  placed  at  Lebanon, 
then  the  most  noted  school  in  that  region,  to  prepare  himself  to 
enter  Yale  College.  In  the  latter  institution  he  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  President  Stiles  by  his  uncommon  attainments  in  the  classics, 
as  well  as  by  his  poetical  efforts.  At  the  weekly  exercises  in  oratory, 
he  uniformly  recited  compositions  of  his  own,  which  being  often 
humorous,  received  the  applause  of  grave  professors  as  well  as  the 
more  youthful  auditory.  He  was  graduated  in  1782  with  distinction, 
and  soon  after  came  to  Albany,  whither  he  had  been  invited  with 


Hon.  John  Lovett. 

the  encouragement  that  an  academical  institution  would  be  opened, 
at  the  head  of  which  he  would  be  placnd.  He  brought  the  highest 
recommendations  from  President  Stiles,  not  only  for  attainments  in 
knowledge,  but  also  for  excellence  and  purity  of  character,  which 
gave  him  the  confidence  of  the  strangers  among  whom  he  was  to 
cast  his  lot  for  life.  Disappointed  in  the  result  of  the  efforts  that 
were  made  for  the  establishment  of  a  seminary  of  learning  here,  he 
commenced  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  office  of  Richard  Sill,  then 
one  of  the  eminent  lawyers  of  Albany,  where  he  had  the  advantage 
of  making  the  acquaintance  of  Gen.  Schuyler,  Gen.  Hamilton, 
Abraham  Van  Vechten,  Col.  Troup,  and  Col.  Burr,  who  was  then  at 
the  zenith  of  his  reputation.  Here  he  also  became  acquainted  with 
Col.  Duer,  the  father  of  the  two  distinguished  lawyers  which  have 
since  borne  his  name.  By  his  representations  he  was  induced,  soon 
after  being  admitted  to  practice,  to  proceed  to  Fort  Miller,  where  the 
Colonel  had  made  a  very  large  purchase  of  land,  and  begun  his  settle- 
ment in  a  new  country,  where  the  surrounding  woods  reached  the 
outskirts  of  his  buildings,  by  erecting  a  mansion  one  hundred  and 
forty-four  feet  long  1  The  Lady  Katy,  as  the  courtesy  of  that  day 
termed  the  eldest  daughter  of  Lord  Stirling,  was  residing  there  with 
her  two  little  sons  and  their  tutor,  Mr.  Lovett  as  general  agent,  and 
a  land  steward,  who  was  to  sell  the  land  if  any  one  wished  to  pur- 
chase — the  wolves  howling  in  chorus  around  the  very  purlieus  of  the 
Italian  piazzas.  Here  Mr.  Lovett  and  his  faithful  negro  man  Juba, 
commenced  professional  life  —  the  latter  much  the  most  successful 
of  the  two,  for  his  gun  could  supply  the  daily  wants  of  the  family 
without  making  drafts  upon  his  master's  father.  To  this  peculiarly 
romantic  residence,  Mr.  Lovett  took  his  youthful  wife  from  Con- 
necticut, a  daughter  of  Gen.  McClellan,  and  remained  there  several 
years,  gaining  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  to  such  a 
degree  as  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  very  large  and  profitable  busi- 
ness in  his  profession,  after  his  removal  to  Lansingburgh.  The 
story  of  the  feudal  grandeur  which  was  commenced  at  Fort  Miller 
is  soon  told.  Col.  Duer  never  went  up  there;  Lady  Katy  and  her 
two  little  sons  returned  to  New  York,  and  the  only  advantage 
resulting  from  this  magnificent  scheme  was  the  habit  of  publio 
speaking  which  the  young  Duers  acquired,  by  being  placed  upon 
the  dinner  table  by  their  mother,  every  day,  after  the  cloth  was 
removed,  and  there  taught  to  speak  unabashed  by  the  company  that 
might  be  present.  The  establishment  went  to  ruin,  was  torn  down, 
and  the  material  sold  for  a  trifle ;  and  thus  ended  this  as  well  as 
other  similar  and  equally  vain  attempts  to  build  up  seigniories  in 
this  state  like  those  of  Canada. 

From  Fort  Miller  Mr.  Lovett  removed  to  Lansingburgh,  which, 
strange  to  say,  attracted  more  attention  half  a  century  ago,  than  it 
has  since.  Here  he  enjoyed  many  years  of  peace,  prosperity  and 
happiness.  In  1800  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Assembly  from 


Hon.  John  Lovett. 

Rensselaer  county.  The  profits  of  his  professional  life  enabled  him 
to  purchase  a  number  of  beautiful  farms  on  the  Hudson  river,  and 
indulge  that  taste  which  was  almost  a  passion  with  him,  for  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  In  1807  he  removed  to  Albany,  where  a  large  por- 
tion of  his  earliest  friends  welcomed  him  again.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  exciting  political  controversies  of  the  day,  and  his  ready 
pen  was  brought  into  constant  requisition,  for  the  service  of  the 
federal  party,  to  which,  from  youth,  he  had  been  most  warmly 
attached.  He  continued  the  practice  of  the  law,  to  which  were 
added  the  duties  of  clerk  of  the  common  council,  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  in  1812.  This  measure,  although  so  strongly  opposed 
by  his  party,  became  the  law  of  the  land.  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer, his  early  friend,  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 
troops  destined  for  the  defence  of  the  north-western  frontier,  and 
at  his  earnest  solicitation  Mr.  Lovett  was  induced  to  accompany  him 
as  military  secretary.  In  answer  to  Mr.  Lovett's  doubt  as  to  how 
he  should  succeed  as  a  soldier,  since  he  had  never  even  trained  as  a 
militiaman  in  his  life,  the  General  replied,  "  It  is  not  your  sword, 
but  your  pen  that  I  want."  It  was  a  fearful  crisis  in  the  life  of  the 
General,  involving  his  reputation.  One  party  boldly  advocated  an 
agrarian  law,  to  divide  these  overgrown  estates  among  the  people,  if 
their  owners  declined  to  come  out  at  the  call  of  their  government  and 
defend  them.  Mr.  Lovett's  personal  attachment  to  the  General  was 
such  that  he  did  not  hesitate  to  assume  this  new  calling.  The  party 
of  citizen  soldiers  marched  to  Canada,  accompanied  by  many  brave 
volunteers  who  were  destined  never  to  return. 

Before  the  dawn  of  that  disastrous  day  of  the  battle  of  Queenstown, 
the  General  requested  Mr.  Lovett  to  take  charge  of  a  battery  erected 
on  the  American  side,  which  was  to  keep  in  check  any  body  of  the 
enemy  that  should  appear  on  their  own  high  and  broken  bank,  and 
by  a  well  directed  fire  to  prevent  them  from  firing  down  upon  the 
American  troops  which  were  crossing  the  stream  below  to  make  the 
attack.  He  took  his  post  with  alacrity,  but  when  the  battle  com- 
menced it  was  too  dark  to  distinguish,  without  the  greatest  care,  the 
American  troops  ascending  the  heights,  from  those  of  the  enemy 
rushing  to  defend  them  ;  and  as  Mr.  Lovett  placed  his  hand  upon 
a  heavily  loaded  cannon,  and  stooped  to  see  that  it  was  properly 
aimed,  it  was  touched  off,  and  the  shock  nearly  deprived  him  of  his 
hearing.  He  received  an  injury  to  his  ears  which  was  permanent, 
and  beyond  surgical  aid.  The  history  of  this  battle  and  its  results 
are  familiar  to  all.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  returned  home,  leaving 
Mr.  Lovett  in  attendance  upon  his  tried  and  attached  friend,  Gen. 
Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  who  had  been  so  severely  wounded  as  to 
be  incapable  of  removal.  After  a  long  and  tedious  convalescence, 
Mr.  Lovett  accompanied  his  companion  home.  The  citizens  of 
Albany  turned  out  to  meet  them  on  horseback,  and  escorted  them 
into  the  city  with  all  the  honors  of  a  Roman  triumph. 


Hon.  John  Lovett. 

Shortly  after,  Mr.  Lovett  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  13th  Con- 
gress, where  he  renewed  his  old  acquaintance  with  Gov.  Meigs  of 
Ohio,  who,  as  United  States  surveyor,  had  become  familiar  with  the 
best  tracts  of  land  offered  about  this  time  at  public  sale.  Preeminent 
among  them  he  regarded  the  reservation  of  the  Twelve  mile  square,  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Maumee,  which  was  just  surveyed,  and  had  never 
before  been  offered  for  sale.  It  embraced  the  site  of  Fort  Meigs, 
directly  opposite  Gen.  Wayne's  battle  ground.  Mr.  Lovett  pur- 
chased it,  and  commenced  the  settlement  of  Perrysburgh.  In  con- 
nection with  Dr.  Josephus  B.  Stewart,  he  built  the  first  steam  boat 
that  navigated  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie,  named,  in  honor  of  the 
Indian  chief,  Walk-in-the -Water  ;  for  many  years  a  regular  trader 
between  Buffalo  and  the  Rapids  of  the  Maumee,  now  known  as 
Perrysburgh.  The  development  of  the  resources  of  this  section  of 
country  has  shown  the  correctness  of  Mr.  Lovett's  judgment  in 
making  the  selection .  A  magnificent  bridge  now  spans  the  Maumee 
river  at  Perrysburgh,  over  which  must  pass  most  of  the  travel  by 
land  from  the  north-east  to  the  south-west  part  of  the  adjoining 
states.  The  Wabash  and  Indiana  canal  opens  in  front  of  the  town, 
and  regular  steam  boats  run  from  Perrysburgh  to  Detroit  every  day. 
Most  of  those  who  planned  these  improvements  have  long  since 
mingled  their  remains  with  the  clods  of  the  valley  —  the  fate  of 
those  who  lead  the  way  in  all  the  openings  of  the  settlements  of  our 
country,  as  well  as  others.  Mr.  Lovett  withstood  for  a  while  the 
effects  of  a  long  protracted  illness  of  lake  fever,  brought  on  by 
exposure,  but  sunk  at  last.  The  memory  of  his  talents  and  virtues 
are  still  cherished  by  the  friends  who  mourned  his  early  removal 
from  a  large  and  devoted  family.  He  died  at  Fort  Meigs  in  August, 
1818,  in  the  53d  year  of  his  age. 


INDEX. 


Abbey,  Dorephus,  died,  286. 
Abbott,  John,  307. 
Abolition  paper,  282. 
Abeel,  David,  131. 

Rev.  David,  373. 

John,  258. 
Abel.  Andrew,  153. 
Abell,  Capt.  L.  D.,  364. 
Ableman,  S.  V.  R.,  242,  329,  362. 
Academy,  Albany,  186,  228. 

Female,  257. 
Ackerman's.  130. 
Ackerman,  Gilbert,  231. 
Accordion  player,  276,  361. 
Accounts  allowed,  14,  16. 
Adair,  Mrs.  Hugh,  407. 
Adams,  Amos,  242. 

Christopher,  350. 

John  Q.,  343. 

William,  255,  340,  349. 
JBolian  attachment,  361. 
African  meth.  church,  burnt,  359. 

school,  259. 

Agave  Americana,  331,  332,  334. 
Aikin,  William,  313. 
Aikman,  James,  312. 
Alarms,  candles  to  be  set  in  case 

of,  122. 
Albany  Argus,  274. 

Atlas,  337. 

(see  burgesses  corps.) 

city  bank,  226. 

Daily  Advertiser,  268,  273,  280, 
306,  312,  353,  362. 

Daily  News,  227. 

Freeholder,  362. 

frigate,  344. 

Gazette,  founder  of,  227. 
discontinued,  362. 


Albany  insurance  company,  302, 

380,  381. 
library,  241. 
lyceum,  186. 
Morning  Chronicle,  419. 
Morning  Express,  406. 
nursery,  297. 
republican  artillery,  299. 
Register,  206. 
steamboat,  296,  297. 
quick  trip,  307. 
Transcript,  247. 
union  guards,  299. 

when  incorporated,  187. 
Alden,  John,  363. 
Aldermen,  13,  17,  28,  38,  50r  61, 
119,  133,  237,  242,244, 
269,  279,  292,  303,  313, 
327,  333,  340,  344,  361. 

1736,  72. 

1737,  81. 

1738,  85. 

1739,  89. 

1740,  92. 
1741,96. 

1742,  100. 

1743,  111. 

1744,  118. 

1745,  120. 

1746,  121. 

1747,  127. 

1748,  130. 

1749,  137. 

1750,  139. 
1751,143. 
1752,  150. 
1835,  242. 

1837,  269. 

1838,  279. 


452 


Index. 


Aldermen,  1839,  292. 

1840,  303. 

1841,  314. 

1842,  327. 

1843,  340. 

1844,  349. 

1845,  361. 

1846,  370. 

1847,  378. 

term  extended,  231. 
Aliens  in  1846,  375. 
Allanson,  Pieter,  280. 
Allen,  Benjamin,  260. 

Rev.  Edward  D.,  289,  336, 

Horace,  263,  337,  381,  450, 

H.  W.,  378. 

Mrs.  H.  W.,  350. 

John,  364. 

Otis,  310. 

Mrs.  W.  H.,  425. 
Alms  house  bill  of  fare,  234. 

expenses,  249,  362. 

fire  at,  319. 

meat,  329,  350. 

mortality  at,  247. 

population,  88,  237,  252, 

276,  291. 

Alvarez's  account  of  Albany, 
Alvord,  William,  275. 
American  Citizen,  406. 

industry  meeting,  319. 

Lady,  286. 

Masonic  Record,  304. 
Ames,  Ezra,  died,  254. 

Mrs.  Ezra,  257. 
Amos,  Ezra,  334. 
Amphitheatre,  311. 
Ancestral  stock,  202. 
Anderson,  Elias,  348. 

Mary,  349. 

Andriese,  Barent,  60. 
Angus,  Jacob,  370. 

John  H.,  277. 
Annals  of  1858,  406. 
Annesley,  Ann,  284. 

Mrs.  Lawson,  260. 

Mary  A.,  260. 
Anti-rent  disturbance,  358. 

paper,  362. 

resistance,  298. 
Anti-renters,  319. 
Apothecaries  hall,  236. 


272, 
397. 


Appeals  of  court,  171. 
Apprentices'  library,  23  J,  238,  311. 
Appropriations,  264. 
Arbor  Hill  burial  ground,  323,  351, 
353,  360. 

methodist  epis.  church,  429. 
Architecture  in  1788,  219. 

in  1800,  194,  195. 
Armington,  Anthony  R.,  347. 
Arms,  Guy,  died,  246. 

N.  L.,  died,  312. 
Armsby,  Dr.  James  H.,  280. 

Mrs.  James  H.,  367. 
Armstrong,  John,  63. 
Arnold,  Dr.  Stephen,  302. 

Mrs.  Seth,  282. 
Arnott,  Mrs.  P.  J.,  362. 
Arrol,  Mary,  239. 
Arsenal  property,  412. 
Artcher,  Edward,  243,  279,  361. 

George,  252. 

Mrs.  John,  376. 

Michael,    242,   298,    314,   328, 

350,  362. 
Artillery,  358. 
Arts,  Mrs.  Michael,  428. 
Ashes,  385,  386. 
Ashley's  ferry,  220. 
Aspinwall,  Lewis,  225,  244. 
Assembly  in  1746,  183. 
Assemblies,  select,  197. 

city,  236. 
Assessments,  264,  275. 

of  1847,  376. 

of  1859,  430. 

for  stockadoes,  117. 

petitioned  for,  132. 

for  war,  121,  122. 
Astin,  Charles  L.,  316. 
Atkins,  Benjamin,  died,  305. 
Atlantic  telegraph,  422,  423,  424. 
Ausbro,  Mrs.  Peter,  407. 
Auditor,  office  created,  274. 
Aurania,  173. 
Austin,  Benjamin,  348. 

Mrs.  Benjamin,  336. 

Charles  L.,  352. 

Eliza,  died,  369. 

Henry,  429. 

Mrs.  J.  J.,  345. 
Automaton  accordion  player,  276, 

361. 


Index. 


453 


Averill,  Gen.,  299. 
Babenton,  Samuel,  20. 
Babington's  house,  40. 
Bacon,  John  P..  305. 

Mrs.  M..  294. 
Bailey,  II.  H.,  362. 

Mrs.  Nelson,  419. 

Wm.  H.,  429. 
Bain,  Nancy,  died,  291. 

Pet«T,  died,  235. 
Baker,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  381. 

Ellis,  310. 

James,  416. 

Capt.  John  C.,  jr.,  274. 
Bakers,  meeting  of,  240. 

prices  regulated,  98. 
Baldwin,  AlvinF.,  308. 

Ebenezer,  267. 
Ball,  Mrs.  Jeremiah  M.,  284. 

Mary,  died,  343. 

Mrs.  Stephen,  343. 
Ballentine,  S.,  227. 
Ballou,  Rev.  Hosea,  230. 
Bancroft,  T.  P.,  292. 

Henry  A.,  313. 
Bank  of  Albany,  279,  304. 
Banks  in  1825    186. 

suspended,  270. 
Banker,  Mrs.  Judith,  died,  304. 
Bankrupt  law,  318. 
Bantham,  John,  420. 
Banyar,  Goldsb.  146,  148. 
Bare-lav,  Rev.  Henry,  93. 

Rev.  T.,  91. 
Barentsen,  Frans,  60. 
Barhydt.  alderman,  428. 
Barker,  Mrs.  Charles,  315. 

Mrs.  William  H.,  328. 

Thos.  N.,  300. 
Barley,  399. 
Barnard,  Caroline  E.,  254. 


Bartow,  Henry,  defaulter,  247. 
Basin  bulk  head,  243. 

a  nuisance,  238. 

indicted  as  a  nuisance,  225. 

improvements,  285. 
Bastianelli,  Mrs.  Titns,323. 
Bass  lane,  name  changed,  315. 
Bassett,  Daniel  B.,  378. 

John,  161. 

Michael,  90,  114,  118,  135. 

N.  B.,  357. 

Batchelor,  Galen,  342. 
Bates,  Mrs.  William,  360. 
Battel,  Mellen,  420. 

Mrs.  Mellen,  375. 
Batterman,  Chris.,  345. 
Battle  in  State  street,  209. 
Bay,  John  W.,  233,  242,  262,  264, 
269,279,295. 

Mrs.-J.  W.,  267. 

Dr.  William,  377. 
Bayeux,  Capt.  Thomas,  299,  340. 

351,427,428. 
Beals,  Jerome,  324. 
Beardsley,  Leonard,  379. 
Beatty,  Mrs  Alexander  H.,  309." 
Beaver  creek,  20,  21,  86. 
Beaver  kill,  12,  15,  39,  167. 

in  1834,  225. 
Beaver  skins,  value  of,  170. 

not  to  be  sold  at  Boston,  171. 
Beck,  Lewis  C.,  248. 

T.  R.,  163,  377. 
Becker,  David,  130. 

Johannis,  jr.,  151. 

Lewis,  371. 

William  A.,  260. 
Becket,  Thomas,  431,  438. 
Bedell,  Mrs.  Richard,  290. 
Beebe,  Mrs.  Asaph,  362. 
Beebe's  shop  burnt,  283. 


ItlMl,     VXU  W11J1C7      J-J*J     'fc'vT.  ||i    i-i/i-    .->     .- 1  1  '  '  [  >     I'Ulillj     -    ^  J. 

Daniel  D.,  233,  274,  281,  285,  Beekman,  Johannis.  55,  64. 
295,  334,  355.  Hester,  104. 

Mrs.  F.  S.,  296.  Hendrick  J.,  119. 

P.  J..  255. 
Barney,  Dr.  Jarvis,  277. 

William,  279. 
Barracks  burned,  154. 
Barrett.  Joseph,  289. 

Robert,  96. 
Bartlett.  Levi,  285. 
Barry,  John  D.,  304. 

39 


. 

James,  268. 
Johannis,  79. 
Johannes  J.,  13,  17,  85. 
John,  151. 
John,  jr.,   86,    130,    137,    139, 

JohnM.,  137. 
John,  S.,  359. 


454 


Index. 


Beekman,  Peter,  168. 

Peter  D.,  239. 

widow,  64. 

Beef,  price  of,  329,  350. 
Beer,  386. 

price  of,  108. 
Beetham,  John,  420. 
Belknap,    Zebina,    280,  292,   304, 

370. 
BeU,  Ann,  425. 

Mrs.  Gerrit  W.,  356. 

John,  77,  98,  108,  119. 

Mrs.  John  W.,  376. 

Joseph  S.,  372. 
Bell  of  North  Dutch  church,  284. 

2d  Dutch  church,  226. 
to  be  rung,  244. 

3d  Dutch  church,  302. 

2d  presbyterian,  363. 

3d  presbyterian,  284. 

placed  in  jail,  293. 
Bellmen,  31,  93,94. 

salary,  14,  18. 
Bell  ringer,  18,  141,  259. 
Bells,  hour  for  ringing  changed, 

358. 

Bellows,  Roswell,  347. 
Bement,  Mrs.  Caleb  N.,  263. 

William,  died,  310. 
Bendall,  Mrs.  Job,  368. 
Bender,  C.  W.,  269,  279,  292,  314, 

324,  341. 

W.  M.,  276. 
Benedict,  Lewis,  294,  310,  390. 

Lewis,  jr.,  362. 

&  Roby,  253. 

Spencer  S.,  253,  303. 
Benjamin,  Mrs.  Caleb,  379. 
Benne,  Maria  E.,  321. 
Bennett,  George  T.,  342. 

Mrs.  E.  B.,  380. 

John  H. ,  428. 

Robert  B.,  275. 
Benneway,  Peter,  104,  128. 
Benseu,  David,  279. 

Mrs.  David,  370. 
Benson,  Capt.  James,  366. 
Berger,  Andrew,  317. 
Berthelon,  Mrs.  D.,  344. 
Berry,  Capt.,  299. 

John,  326. 
Beth  Jacob,  315,  316. 


Bethel,  300,  317,  341. 

Union  Society,  255. 
Betts,  Jane,  353. 

Richard  D.,  242. 
Bever  kill  (see  Beaver  kill). 
Beverwyck,  173. 
Bicknell,  Mrs.  B.,  337. 
Bilbroock,  Capt.  Joseph,  407. 
Bills  of  credit,  city,  270. 
Bishop  Otis,  died,  339. 

Mrs.  William,  359. 
Bissell,  William,  313. 
Blackall,  Mrs.  Robert,  330. 

William,  302. 
Blackmail's  bash,  420. 
Blacksmith  shop,  129. 
Blake,  Isaac  M.,  285. 

Robert,  409. 
Blakeman,  Mrs.  E.,  353. 

Martha  J.,  336. 
Blanchard,  Mrs.  Anthony,  278. 

Hamilton,  424. 

J.  W.,428. 
Blank,  Thomas,  314. 
Bleecker,  Anthony,  145,  157. 

Barent,  155,  304. 

Charlotte,  431. 

George,  M.,  233. 

Harmanus,  218,  233,  262,  264, 
285,  308,  390. 

Hendrick,  112,  143. 

Henry,  264,  275. 

G.  V.  S.,  233,  242,  265,  269, 
279,  292,  303,  314,  315,  327, 
340,  349,  361. 

Jacob,  151. 

Mrs.  James,  267. 

Jan  Janse,  49. 

Johannes,  79. 

John  Rutse,  139. 

John  R.,  100,  111,  121,  122, 
130,  136,  137,  141,  143,  151, 
279. 

Mrs.  John,  313. 

Mrs.  J.  V.  S.,  347. 

Nicholas,  15,  112,  347. 

Nicolaes,  jr.,  9,  10,  13,  14,  17, 
96,  111,  118,  120. 

Rutger,  15,  24,  112,  113. 

Street  (so  called),  315. 

William  E.,  254,  300,  301,  421. 
Bliss,  Mrs.  Eleazar,  284. 


Index. 


455 


Blockhouse,  11,  43,  98,   114,   122, 

144. 
Bloodgood,  Abraham,  156. 

Francis,  156,  251 ,  294,  301,  390. 

Major,  299. 

S.   D.  W.,  241,  242,  246,  257, 

266,  273,  302. 
Bloomendall,  Jacob,  160. 
Bloomingdal,  Nancy,  343. 
Bloomingdale,  Margaret,  377. 
Blunt,  Martin,  376. 
Blunt's  building,  328,  345. 
Boards,  385,  386. 
Boardtnan,  Charles,  380. 

C.  H.,  355. 

John,  242,  301. 

Mrs.  John,  341. 

William,  241,  303. 
Board  of  trade,  318,  319. 
Boats  arrived,  385. 
Bogaert  Cornelius,  109. 

Isaac,  94. 

Isaac  H.,  320. 

Mrs.  Isaac  H.,  362. 

John,  97. 

Peter,  116. 
Bogardus,  Anthony,  16. 

Jacob,  81. 

Jacob  S.,  122. 

Harme,  81. 

Peter  S.,  72. 

Schieboleth,  55,  79,  108,  118. 

DavidS.,  161. 
Bogart,  Christiana,  died,  269. 

Grandin  A.,  273. 
Boghaert,  Abram,  74. 

Abram,  jr.,  121. 

Cornelis,  128. 

Isaac,  72,  81,  185. 

Jacob,  49,  83,  89. 

Jacob,  jr.,  90. 

Peter,  jr.,  127. 
Bolter's  ticket,  350. 
Bonner,  John,  294. 

Mrs  C.,307. 
Bonaparte,  Jerome,  211. 
Bonfires,  attempt  to  suppress,  230. 
Booth,  Silas,  died,  267. 

Zuchariah,  298. 
Border,  state  of,  in  1745,  183. 
Born,  James,  died,  318. 
Borne,  Alonzo,  278. 


Bortle,  Richard,  340. 
'Boston  ferry,  354. 

rail  road,  252. 
(See  West  Stockbridge.) 
Bosworth,  Edwin  M.,  235. 
i  Bounds,  Cornelius  J.,  376. 
Bough  ton,  James,  94. 
Bo  wen,  ThomaSj  421. 
Bowie,  Robert,  died,  287. 
Bowne.,  John,  407. 

John  H.,  433,  438. 
Boyd  Brothers,  200. 

C.,  378. 

Catalina,  380. 

D.  I.,  272. 

Hugh,  330. 

Mrs.  Hugh,  304. 

James,  died,  289. 

Mrs.  James,  284. 

Mrs.  James  P.,  348. 

Mrs.  Margaret,  267. 

Peter,  died,  371. 

R.  &  Co.,  373. 

Samuel,  428. 

Mrs.  Samuel,  348. 

William,  died,  303. 

William  S.,  308. 
Bradford,  Mary  E.,  379. 

Stephen  L.,  304. 

Rev.  John,  207. 
Bradt,  Adam  P.,  346. 

Barent,  9,  10,  11,  13,  28,  32, 38, 
45,  47,  50,  61,  72,  81,  82,  86, 
86,  90,  92. 

Daniel,  380. 

Dirck,  351,360. 
Bradwell,  Mrs.  S.,  381. 
Braham,  singer,  325. 
Brainerd,  Benjamin  C.,  418. 

Elijah,  died,  306. 
Brammall,  James,  321. 
Brakell,  Gyslwrt,  jr.,  43. 
Brandon,  William,  died,  316. 
Bratt,  Adrien,  86. 

Andries,  18,31,44,61,65,68, 
72,74,79,85,89,  91,92,94, 
95,  96,  97,  100,  104,  108,  109, 
112,  114,  115. 

Anthony,  47,  81,  117,  118. 

Anthony  A.,  120. 

Arent,  84. 

Benjamin,  49,  126,  129. 


456 


Index. 


Bratt,  Barnardus,  76,  99,  102,  110, 
116,  121,  122,  127,  143. 

Egbert,  121,  127. 

Garrit,  27,  61. 

G.  T.,  438. 

John,  85. 

J.,  329. 

Jochim,  42,  44. 

Mary,  59. 

Maria,  84. 

Peter  V.,  353. 

Tennis,  140. 

Braun,  Anthony  T.,  161. 
Bray  ton,  Mary,  328. 
Bread,  law  for  marking,  34. 

price  raised,  240. . 

price,  &c.,  98. 

reform,  270. 

Breakey,  Mrs.  Isaiah,  339. 
Breeman,  Thomas,  289. 
Breweries,  399. 
Brewers  street  market,  62. 
Brewster,  Mrs.  Jane,  341. 
Brewery  burnt,  Boyd's,  373. 
Briare,  Andrew  B.,  407. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  285. 

Mrs.  Joseph?.,  409. 
Brick  in  1661,  170. 
Brick  buildings,  328. 

kilns,  34/67. 
Bricks,  statistics  of,  398. 
Brick  store,  first  on  dock,  372. 
Bridges,  167. 
Bridge  over  Rutten  kill,  129. 

State  street  fell,  306. 

repairs.  68,  91. 

over  Hudson.   237,  253,   254, 
311,313. 

in  Yonker  street,  79. 
Bridgeford,  William,  298. 
Bries,  Hend.,  11,72,  81. 
Brigs  in  1838,  276,  287. 
Briggs,  Mrs.  R.  B.,  380. 
Brinkerhoff,  Mrs.  A.,  317. 

Edward,  264,  314,  327. 

G.,242. 

George,  236. 

Jacob,  294. 

John,  363. 

Teunis,  345. 

Broadway,  street  named,  306. 
Brockway,  Mrs.  Henry,  374. 


Brockway,  Mrs.  Joshua,  353. 
Bromlev,  Hiram,  361,  379. 

Mrs.  H.,  324. 

Mrs.  Robert,  319. 

William,  99,  110. 

Rev.  Robert,  233. 
Brooks,  James  G.,  died,  311. 

Mrs.  J.  H.,  379. 

Jonathan,  15,  31,  34,  44. 

Jonathan,  425. 

Mrs.  Peter,  342. 
Brossett,  Michael,  338. 
Brower,  John,  254. 

John,  355. 

Peter,  52,  115,  119,  135. 

Mrs.  N.,  323. 

Mrs.  William,  366. 
Brown,  Aaron,  342. 

Mrs.  Aaron,  252. 

Adelia,  died,  288. 

A.  E.,  269,  327. 

Capt.,  299. 

Caroline,  278. 

Mrs.  Dorothy,  366. 

Edward,  died,  372. 

Edward,  346. 

E.  &  S  ,  372. 

Elizabeth,  died,  286. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth,  284. 

Elias  A.,  235. 

James,  246. 

Lucy,  369. 

Peter,  276. 

Robert,  274. 

Rufus,  died,  320. 

Mrs.  Sally,  348. 

Mrs.  T.  J.,  412. 

Mrs.  W.,  371. 

Mrs.  William,  288. 

Mrs.  William,  232. 
Bruce,  Augustus,  329. 
Bryan,  David,  425. 

Francis,  died,  263. 

Francis,  313,  327. 
Buckbee,  Mrs.  H.  H.,  294. 

John,  433. 

Mrs.  John,  369. 
Buckingham,  J.  S.,  282. 
Buckley,  Horace  W.,  323. 
Buckliii,  Jolin,  333,  340. 
Buckly,  Russell,  376. 
Buckwheat,  399. 


Index. 


457 


Buel,  Jesse,  390,  died,  297. 

Mrs.  Jesse,  376. 

Jesse,  jr.,  292. 
Buildings  In  1800,  194. 

erected  in  1842,  328. 
Bulger,  Richard,  407. 

Thomas,  died,  381. 
Bullock  &  Many,  420. 
Bunker,  Capt.  E.  S.,  381. 

Mrs.  E.  S.,  304. 
Burbank,  Abraham,  278. 
Burden's  steam  boat,  273. 
Burdick,  Mrs.  Edmund,  420. 

Jonathan,  371.  [406. 

Burgesses  corps,  226,  228,  299,^58, 

first  anniversary,  231. 

jubilee,  427. 

Burgoyne  in  Albany,  414. 
Burlians,  David,  327. 
Burial  ground,  ancient,  154. 

on  Arborhill,  351,  353. 

fifth  ward.  277. 

Beth  Jacob,  315. 

Dutch,  39. 

place,  65. 

Burly,  Mrs.  John,  319. 
Burnes,  George,  128. 
Burnop,  Philip,  369. 
Burnet,  governor,  181. 
Burrow,  John  L.,  229. 
Burt,  Uri,  370,  378. 
Burton,  Mrs.  Cath.,  359. 

Isaac,  344. 

John,  27.  [328. 

John   L,    242,  269,    279,   292, 

Josiah,  310. 
Bush,  Walter  R.,  265. 
Business  men,  200. 
Buswell,  Belinda,  236. 
Butler,  Edmund,  153. 
Butter,  price  of,  356. 
Cabs  introduced,  315. 
Caddey,  Michael,  422. 
Cady,  J.  D.,  378. 
Cagger,  Alice,  died,  340. 

Michael,  259. 

Peter,  292,  303. 
Cahohatatea,  173,  188. 
Caldwell.  James,  412,  413. 

William,  217. 

medal.  228. 
Calhoun,  John,  421. 


California,  volunteers  for,  372. 
Cameron,  Alexander,  303. 

Mary,  241. 

Susan,  died,  257. 
Campbell,  A.  D.,  295. 

Duncan,  228. 

D.,  259. 

Elizabeth  B.,  320. 

James,  153. 

John,  157. 

John,  369. 

John,  375. 

Mrs.  John,  411. 

Rev.  Mr.,  330. 

Rev.  J.  N.,  232,  236,  245,  246. 

Mrs.  Magdalen,  407. 

William,  278. 

Rev.  W.  H.,441. 
Canada,  embassy  to,  223. 

invasion,  182. 

Canadian  flag  of  truce,  130. 
Canals,  187. 
Canal  bank,  240,  338,  343. 

basin,  (see  basin). 

closed,  367. 

street,  312. 

to  Schenectady,  253. 

tolls,  387. 

trade,  385,  386. 
Candles,  price  of,  129. 

quantity  sold,  399. 
Cane,  Mrs.  Dennis,  270. 
Canoll,  John  H.,  352,  364. 
Cannons,  where  placed,  122. 
Can  tine,  Moses,  261. 
Cape  Breton,  news  of  taking,  119. 
Capitol,  187. 

street,  name  changed,  306. 
Capron,  Clarissa,  369. 

Elizabeth,  415. 

Mary,  378. 

W.  N..  244. 
Carbines,  Francis,  153. 
Carey,  Samuel,  359. 

Josiah  W.,  330. 

Henry,  died,  322. 
Carindus,  John,  143. 
Carlan,  Manus,  8S. 
j  Carmen's  prices,  142. 
Carmen  and  porters,  77. 
Carmichat'l,  James,  315. 

John,  285. 


458 


Index. 


Carmichael,  Peter,  252,  340,  349. 
Carpenter,  GK  W.,  228,  330. 
Henry,  230. 
Mrs.  J.  T.,  327. 
Nathaniel,  295. 
William,  died,  235. 
Carr,  Ellen  W.  died,  286. 

Mrs.  S.  T.,  286. 
Carroll,  Cornelius,  412. 
A.,  304. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  261. 
Carriages  and  wagons,  399. 
Carson,  Elizabeth,  died,  286. 

John,  349. 

widow  of  John,  286. 

Robert,  died,  324. 

T.,  328. 

Thomas,  279. 
Carter,  Mrs.  George  T.,  368. 

Mrs.  Loammi,  231. 

Mrs.  Mary,  258. 

Theophilus,  238. 
Cary,  D.  H.,  314. 
Cassidy,  Henry,  292. 

John,  420. 

Mary,  307. 

Patrick,  245. 

William,  338. 
Cathedral  robbed,  417. 
Catholic  church  collections,  376. 
Catskill,  185. 
Cattle,  mortality  of,  170. 
Celeste,  Madame,  244. 
Cemetery,  project  of,  310. 

consecrated,  355. 
Census  1820,  385. 

1830,  248,  385. 

1835,  248,  249,  309. 

1835  to  1845,  365. 

1840,  309,  398. 

1846,  375. 
Centre  market,  365. 

burnt,  290. 
Center,  Rev.  S.,  236. 
Century  plant,  331,  332,  334. 
Cereal  grain,  399. 
Cider,  386. 
Circus  controversy,  272. 

traveling,  417. 
City  accounts  called  in,  28,  30,  31. 

Bank,  226. 

encroachment,  272. 


City  bounds  surveyed,  141. 
Coffee  House,  257. 
debts,  13,  303,  316,  330. 
documents,  153. 
expenses,  279. 
favorably  situated,  222. 
finances,  330,  341,  350. 
founded,  187. 
Hall,  petition  for,  84. 
lit  with  gas,  375. 
old,  burnt,  257. 
Hotel,  226. 
incorporated,  187. 
records,  9. 

translation  of,  245. 
salaries,  356. 
Chad  wick,  Abigail,  245. 
Calvert,  308. 
William,  300. 
Chambers,  Ivie,   153. 

William,  340,  349. 
Champion,  steam  boat,  229. 
^hamplain,  steamboat,  247. 
rihapin,  Erastus,  242. 
Timothy,  jr.,  323. 
Chapman,  Charles,  248,  280,  304, 

314,  319,  327,  333,  370. 
Charles  L.,  273. 
Charles  P.,  369. 
Mrs.  C.  C.  P.,  336. 
Jane,  285. 
Levi,  255. 
Mrs.  Levi,  374. 
Levi  S.,  316. 
Chamberlain,  13,  32,38,  61,  72,  81, 
86,  92,  96,  100,111,  120,  121, 
127,  131,  138,  140,  144,  225, 
247,  262,  266,  273,  289,  291, 
303,  316,  323,  324,  327,  333, 

/harles  Wack,  steam  boat,  421. 

"barter  quit  rent,  94. 

hatfleld,  Mrs.  William,  295. 
iChestney,  James.  380. 
Cheever,  Samuel,  314. 
Chief  engineer  fin  departm't,  338. 
Child,  Edmund  B.,  died,  304. 
Chimney  inspectors,  127. 
Chimney  sweep  sold,  156. 
Cholera  abated,  230. 
in  1834,  229. 
relief  funds,  240. 


Index. 


459 


China  voyages,  372. 
Christian,  David,  377. 
Christian  names,  170. 
Christianse,  H.,  170,  172. 

Jan.  71. 

Johannes,  69. 
Christie,  Ann,  267. 

George,  325. 

Mrs.  James,  318. 

Church  at  Schaghticoke,  donation 
to,  94. 

pound,  87. 

street,  widening,  269. 

yards,  164. 
Churches,  donation  to,  94. 

number  of,  353. 

in  1825,  186. 

Churchill,  Mrs.  R.  E.,  429. 
Clapp,  Ruel,  263,  290. 

R.  S.,  333. 
Clark,  Adrian  D.,  374. 

Asahel.  250. 

Daniel  P.,  370,  408. 

John  A.,  327. 

Mrs.  Humphrey,  379. 

James  T.,  365. 

Joseph,  286. 

Mrs.  Josiah,  285. 

Mrs.  J.  S.,331. 

William,  367. 

Walter,  32-2,  216. 
Clarke,  Capt.  Edward,  87. 

E.  H.,  433,  438. 

George,  66. 
Claverack  named,  171. 

settled,  181. 
Clay,  Henry,  295,  356. 
Clemens,  George,  378. 
Clench,  Benj.  V.,  258. 

Elizabeth,  305. 
Clergy,  207. 
Clergymen,  list  of,  236. 
Clerk  of  courts,  120. 

common  council,  14,  139,  266. 

of  market,  17.  (See  mayor.) 
Clermont  steam  boat,  430. 
Clinton,  George,  112,  205. 

De  Witt,  211,352. 

remains  removed,  352. 
Clinton  square,  232. 

avenue  fire,  421. 

furnace  burnt,  244. 
Cloet,  Johannes,  62. 


Cluett,  John  I.,  267. 

John  jr.,  143,  144. 

John  W.,  3 14,  362. 
Clute,  Jacob  N.,  323. 

Mrs.  J.  N.,  316. 
Coarse  grain.  383,  386. 
Coasting  trade,  389. 
Coates,  Mrs.  Charles,  317. 
Cobb,  Catalina  G.,  295. 

Elijah,  361,  370. 

Sanford,  273,  323. 

William  S.,  240. 
Cogswell,  D.  M.  F.,  287. 

Smith,  348. 
Cohoes  Falls,  221. 
Colbura,  Adolphus,  292,  314. 

Mrs.  Elias,  329. 
Cold,  235,  254,  287,  324,  336,  347, 

406,  407. 

Golden,  John,  139. 
Cole,  Isaac  P.,  284. 

F.  W.,  317,  365. 

John  0.,  228,  281,  427. 

M.  M.,  296. 

Philo  K.,  367. 

Coleman,  Obed  M.,  276,  361. 
Coley,  Philander,  350,  362. 
Collins,  Alfred  H.,  284. 

Capt.,  66. 

Edward,  11,  14. 

Major,  125,  126,  182. 
Colon ie  a  separate  district,  "60. 

annexed  to  Albany,  361. 

burial  ground,  351,353. 

street  opened,  276. 

fire,  428. 

Colored  population,  1846,  375. 
Colt.  Judah,  305. 
Colv'in,  A.  J.,  329. 

Mrs.  Andrew,  338. 

David  V.  P.,  350. 

James,  371. 

Columbia  steam  boat,  369. 
Combe,  George,  300. 
I  Comet  of  1858,  427. 
Commerce,  400. 

of  1838,  275,  287. 

Commercial  Bank  defalcation,  247. 
Commission  houses,  400. 
Commons.  21,  24. 
Common  Council,  fines,  42. 

minutes,  428. 
Company  B.,  406. 


460 


Index. 


Comptroller  of  treasury,  273. 
Comstock,  Isaac  N.,  273,  341. 

Mrs.  I.  N.,  331. 
Conspiracy  of  the  nobles,  197. 
Condon,  R.  M.,411. 
Confectionery  statistics,  399. 
Conger,  McJvhmey,  411. 
Congress  at  Albany,  181. 

Hall,  282. 

Congregational  church,  167,  417. 
Conine,  Mrs.  Philip,  240. 
Conklin,  Charles,  327. 
Conkling,  Mrs.  Albert,  338. 
Alfred,  254. 
Aurelian,  238. 

Connecticut  Coffee  House,  251. 
Connor,  Lawrence,  261. 
Constables,  17,  38,  61,  62,  72,  81, 
85,  89,  92,  95,  96,  100,  111, 
118,  119,  120,  121,  127,  130, 
131,  137,  139,   143,   144,  150, 
151. 

duties,  41. 

number  increased,  95; 

ordinance,  80. 

watch,  26,  28. 

Consistory  of  Dutch  church,  364. 
Constitutional  convention,  371 ,  373 
Convent  bells,  277,  283. 
Corbit,  Waldo,  292,  315. 
Corlaer's  lake,  37. 
Cornell,  Levi,  242,  406. 

Nathan,  424. 
Cook,  Mrs.  Anna,  351. 

Henry,  153. 

Mrs.  H.  B.,  297. 

Nathaniel,  324. 

William,  226. 
Cooke,  Edward  H.,  308. 

John,  378. 

Mrs.  Moses,  311. 
Cooper,  Benjamin,  331. 

Jacob,  130. 

John  Tayler,  289. 

Mrs.  J.  T.,  411. 

Obadiah,  50,  128. 

Mrs.  Obadiah,  274. 


Corporation  deal  in  slaves,  156, 157 
Cortney,  John,  114. 
Cosby,'  William,  29. 

Governor  at  Albany,  36. 
Cotter,  Oliver,  371. 
Cotton,  Charles,  307. 
Coughtry,  Mrs.  burnt,  339. 

Mrs.  James  A.,  409. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  371. 

W.  W.,  302. 
Coulson,  Thomas,  362. 

W.  R.,  317. 
County  boundaries,  185. 

clerk,  275. 

erected,  185. 

devastated,  182,  183. 

medical  society,  429. 
Court-house,  petition  for,  78. 
Courtney,  Joel,  421. 

John,  88. 

Mrs.  Bridget,  234. 

Samuel  GK,  364. 
Courtright,  Mrs.  E.  M.,  301. 
Covell,  Alansons,  L.,  273. 

Benjamin,  died,  309. 
Covert,  Abraham,  342. 

Mrs.  Abram,  431. 

Julia  A.,  379. 

N.  O.,  278. 

W.  C.,  355. 
Cows  maimed,  140. 
Cox,  Peter,  407. 
Coyne,  Mrs.  Catharine,  309. 
Cramond,  Simon,  332. 
Crandall,  William,  299. 
Crane,  H.  H.,  died,  271,  285. 

Ruth,  282. 
Crannel,  William  W.,  337,  380. 

Mrs.  Wynant,  316. 
Crawford,  Mrs.  George,  359. 
Crapo,  Mrs.  Seth,  253. 
Creer,  Mrs.  Hannah,  366. 
Crocker,  Mrs.  James  C.,  359. 
Crook,  Mrs.  T.  P.,  245. 
Crops  of  1840,  399. 
Crosby,  Dr.  0.,  282. 
Cross,  William  H.,  408. 


Corning,   Erastus,    226,   237,   250,|Croswell,  Edwin,  281. 

253,  255,  266,  269,  277,  281,1         Sherman,  died  1859. 

292,  302,  303,  319,  321,  333,!Croton  celebration,  333. 

390.  I  Crown  point,  37. 

E.  &  Co.,  376.  jCrutteiiden,  L.  271,  282,  392. 

Coroner  (see  mayor). 


Index. 


461 


102. 
79, 


Gumming,  Alexander,  306,  366. 

James,  263. 

Margery,  272. 

Mary,  246. 

William,  378. 
Cummings,  Phebe,  407. 
Cumpston,  Edward,  163. 
Cunningham,  Mrs.  Matilda,  366. 
Cure,  Mrs.  Peter,  336. 
Cureton,  Mrs.  Anna,  342. 
Cushman,  John  W.,  230. 

R.  S.,  301,  364. 

Thomas  H.,  305,  322. 

William  McC.,  341. 
Customs.  192. 
Cutter,  John,  308. 
Cuyler,  Abraham,  16,  26,  115. 

Mrs.  Abraham,  325. 

Cornelis,  38,  60,  54,  61.     [ 

Cornelius,  9,  13,  14,  17,  28, 

Frederick,  267. 

Hendrick,  96,  100,  109. 

Henry,  44. 

Isaac  S.,  262. 

Jacob  C.,  364. 

John,  11,92, 

John,  235,  265. 

Mrs.  John,  372. 

Johannis,  12,  48,  64. 

Johannis,  Jr.,  85,  89. 

Johannis  A.,  29. 

Niclaes,  114. 

Cuyman  Samuel,  137.  f323. 

Daguerreotypes,    introduction  of, 
D'Aillebout,  175. 
Daily  Knickerbocker,  344. 

Patriot,  282. 
Dairy  produce,  399. 
Dancing  parties,  236. 
Daniels,  John,  143. 

James  W.,  died,  310. 
Danielse,  Simon,   48,  76,   99,  103, 

105,  106,  109. 
Danson,  Fanny,  321. 
I):irkc,  William,  346. 
Darling,  Mrs.  C.,  254. 
Davidson,  Alexander,  died,  317. 

James,  431. 
Davis,  Eli/a,  427. 

Isaac  0.,  226. 

John,  269,  278,279,  281,  286, 
died,  379. 


Davis.  Mrs.  Joseph,  267. 

Nathaniel,  255. 

William,  228,   242,   269,   279, 

314,  361. 
Dean,  Amos,  280,  310. 

Stewart,  260,  354. 

street,  364. 
Deaths  in  1842,  332. 
Debt  of  city,  1834,  226. 
Debts  called  in,  42. 
De  Callieres,  175. 
Defence,  funds  for,  179,  183. 
Defences,  order  to  repair,  128. 
De  Forest,  Charles,  340. 

Curtis,  406. 

David,  23. 

Mrs.  Jacob  J.,  408. 
Defreest,  Abraham,  51. 

Philip,  49,  112,273. 

Wouter,  136,  140. 

Jesse,  47,60,  61,68,  79,  137. 

Lansing  V.,  365. 
De  Frontenac,  Count,  178. 
De  Garmo,  Jacob,  136. 

Matheys,  18. 
De  Garmoy,  Bastian,  120. 

Dirrick,  28,  30. 

Jelles,  67,  68,  92,  135,  143. 

Johannis,  65,  67,  92,  168. 

Peter,  88. 

De  Graff,  John  I.,  428. 
De  Groff,  Simeon,  326. 
Delavan,  E.  C.,  241. 

Ed.  H    321. 

Hannah,  278. 

Henry  W.,  died,  262. 

house,  350. 
De  Lissa,  J.  J.,  282. 
Dellemont,  Marte,  104. 
Dellius,  Rev.  G.,  223. 

petition  for  payment,  223. 
Delahanty,  Daniel,  369. 

John,  379. 

Deming,  Gideon,  369. 
Democrats  defeated,  274. 

in  minority,  268. 
De  Neufville,  John.  219. 
'Denison,  Rev.  C.  W.,  235. 
'Dennison.  Ed.  C.,  321. 

Mrs.  E.  C.,  291. 

Joseph,  338. 
Dennistou,  G.  V.,  407. 


462 


Index. 


Denniston,  Hugh,  161. 

Isaac,  241,  292. 

Mrs.  Isaac,  240. 

Isaac,  Jr.,  337. 

Mrs.  James,  351. 

Mrs.  Maria,  315. 

De  Peyster,  John,  14,  29,  52,  96, 
102,  103,  110,   122,  130,  137, 
139,  143,  150. 
Deputy  Chamberlain,  431. 

salary  of,  356. 

Deuel,  Mrs.  Benjamin,  350. 
Devyr,  Thomas  A.,  362. 
De  Voe,  Isaac,  128. 
Dewandelaer,  Johannis,  57,  62,  74, 
75,  151. 

Peter,  74,  81,  114,  151. 
De  Witt,  A.  A.,  245. 

A.  H.,  438. 

Catharine  M.,  330. 

Ephraim,  died,  325. 

EH.,  438. 

John,  died,  250. 

Mrs.  John,  340. 

Louis,  270. 

Richard  V.,  233. 

Mrs.  R.  V.,  328. 

Simeon,  234,  317. 

William  H.,  374,  432,  438. 
Dexter,  George,  281,  292,  314,  349, 
35J,  356. 

James,  236. 

Mrs.  Samuel,  374. 
Dey  Ermand,  J.,  283. 

James,  415. 

Mrs.  Mary  Ann,  316. 
Dey,  John  Ogden,  412,  450, 
Deyo,  David,  Jr.,  381. 

Mrs.  David,  381. 
Diblee,  Henry,  301. 
Dick,  Captain  William,  42. 
Dickerman,  J.  R.,  279,  292,  303. 
Dickinson,  Mrs.  Isaac,  331. 

William  H.,  337. 
Dickson,  Rev.  Alexander,  442. 
Dillingham,  Charles,  235. 
Dillingham,  Hannah,  300. 
Dillon,  Charles,  269,  326. 

Mrs.  Charles,  381. 
Dimmick,  Otis,  347. 

express  rider,  288. 
Directory,  printer  of,  304. 


Disney,  J.,  378. 
Distances  to  cities,  186. 
Distress  by  war,  125. 
District  schools,  430. 

expenses,  374. 

houses,  273,  275. 

Journal,  368. 
Dix, Brands  P.,  412. 

John  A.,  236,  310,  317,321. 
Dobbs,  Thomas  H.,  425. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  309. 
Dock,  first  brick  store  on,  372. 

master,  373. 

street  changed,  354. 
Docks,   ordinance  respecting,  69, 
60,  61. 

petition  for,  46. 
Documents,   translation   of    city, 

332. 

Don,  John  G.,  423. 
Dongan  at  Albany,  174. 
Donnelly,  Francis,  411. 

Jane,  326. 

John  C.,  238. 
Dorr,  Alfred,  265. 

Dr.  P.  C.,  306. 

Edmund,  370. 

Elisha,  285,  341. 

Mrs.  Elisha,  273. 
;Doty,  Mrs.  Lyman  T.,  257. 
i  Douglas,  Beriah,  303. 
j Douglass,  Horace  F.,  406. 

James  B.,  425. 

Mary  B.,  320. 

Mrs.  S.,  234. 

W.  A.,  285. 
Dougherty,  William  W.,  348. 
Douw,    Abraham,    86,    137,    140, 
141,  143,  150,  151. 

John  D.  P.,  238. 

Johannis    V.,    121,    126,    127, 
130. 

Mrs.  Lyntie,  253. 

Petrus,  25,  45. 

Rachel,  286. 

Volkert,  19,  44,  104. 

Volkert,jr.,61. 

Volkert  P.,  137,  150,  233,  241. 
Douw's  building,  315,  328. 
Dove  street,  opening  of,  333. 
i  Dow,  Abraham,  131,  137. 

John,  119,  135. 


Index. 


463 


Dow,  Capt.  Volkert  P.,  130,  135. 
Dowd,  Lawrence,  420. 
Dowling,  Thomas,  326. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  343. 
Downing,  Jacob,  242,  327,  340, 424. 
Dox,  G.,  308. 
Dox,  Garret  L.,  269,  291,  292,  337, 

340,  380. 

Doxy,  Peter,  104. 
Doyle,  Peter  C.,  259. 

Mrs.  P.  C.,  326. 
Drafts,  city,  103. 
Drainage,  64,  109. 
Drake,  Samuel  H.,  263. 

Margaret,  died,  372. 

Peter,  284. 

Drills  Cripple  bush,  80. 
Drives  about  Albany,  396. 
Driving,  unruly,  62. 
Drugs,  &c.,  399. 
Drul lard,  Mrs.  S.,  316. 
Drury,  Samuel,  99. 
Dry  goods  stores,  400. 
Duane,  Mrs.  Cornelius,  315. 

Gertrude,  died,  315. 
Dubois,  Cornelius  H.,  411. 
Dudley,  Charles  E.,  died,  310. 
Duer,  "William  A  ,  417. 
Duesler.  Mrs.  Daniel,  324. 
Duffy,  William,  229,  253,  255. 
Dun  bar,  Gen.  Robert,  jr.,  371. 

Mrs.  Robert  Jr.,  302. 
Duncan,  Thomas,  "219. 
Dunkin,  Mrs.  Robert  H.,  374. 
Dunlavy,  Mary,  241. 
Dunlop,  A.  A.,  228. 

John  F.,  298. 

William,  G.,  300. 
Dunn,  Ed.  H.,  261. 

Mrs.  Edward,  277. 

Mrs.  Philip,  429. 
Dunn's  island,  172,  173. 

tavern  burnt,  339. 
Durant,  William,  died,  355. 
Durrie,  D.  S.,  446. 
Dusenberry,  Mrs.  Richard,  229. 
Dutch  church  in  State  street,  193. 
a  fortification,  194. 
petition,  38. 
release,  121. 

documents  translated,  332. 

East  India  Company,  172. 


Dutch  language,  204,  219. 
records,  translation,  267. 
West  India  Company,  174. 
Dutcher,  Augustus  C.,  312. 
Salem,  died,  348. 
Mrs.  Salem,  315. 
Dwellings  in  1750,  187. 
1788,  219. 
1825,  186. 
Dwight,  Francis,  368. 
Dwyer,  John  H.,  346. 
Dyer,  Rev.  David,  411. 
Mrs.  H.,  282. 
Leverett  C.,  360. 
Eager,  Elizabeth  Nelson,  371. 
Eagle  street,  272. 

in  1827,  169. 
opened,  272. 
paved,  285. 

tavern,  237,  271,282,  286. 
Easton,  John,  153. 
Walter,  234. 
William,  died,  313. 
Eaton,  John,  44,  74. 
Eclipse  of  1806,  199. 
Edgar,  Mrs.  Agnes,  369. 
Edwards,  Mrs.  James,  241. 
Efner,  Mrs.  Nicholas,  417. 
Egbert,  OwjenJ.,  365. 
Egberts,  Cornelius,  died,  368. 

Egbert,  233,  242,  264. 
Egbertse,  Benjamin,  70 
Egbert,  18,  85,  122. 
E^hbertB.,  103,  138. 
Teunis,  44. 
Eggemont,  Jacob,  14. 
Egglestone,  Mrs.  William,  359. 
Ehle,  Abraham,  256. 
Eights,  James,  246. 

Jonathan,  233,  287. 
Elections,  13,  28,  38,  50,  61,  72,  80, 
81,  86,   89,  92,  96,   100, 
101,    111,    118,   119,    120, 
121,    127,    130,    133,    137, 
139,    143,    150,   232,   237, 
242,   248,    263,   268,   279, 
285,   292,   303,    313,   321, 
327,   333,   334,   346,    349, 
366,   361,   366,   370,   371, 
374,  37«,  412,  429. 
Election,  1732,  28. 
1733,  38. 


464 


Index. 


Election,  1734,  60. 

1735,  61. 

1736,  72. 

1737,  81. 

1738,  85. 

1739,  89. 

1740,  92. 

1741,  96. 

1742,  100. 

1743,  111. 

1744,  118. 

1745,  120. 

1746,  121. 

1747,  127.. 

1748,  130. 

1749,  137. 

1750,  139. 

1751,  143. 

1752,  150. 
1835,  242,  248. 
1837,  269. 
J838,  279. 

1839,  292. 

1840,  303. 
1841,313. 

1842,  327. 

1843,  340. 

1844,  349. 

1845,  361. 

1846,  370. 

1847,  378. 

time  changed,  231,  312. 

of  constables,  80. 
Elephants,  417. 
Elevation  of  city,  186. 
Elk  street  fire,  422. 
Elliott,  Edward,  267. 

S.  D.,  334. 

Robert,  died,  348. 

Mrs.  Robert,  341. 
Ellis,  William,  352. 

Mrs.  William,  370. 
Elmendorf,  Peter  E.,  24-3,  308. 

Mrs.  P.  E.,  241. 
Elton,  JohnT.,  406. 
Emerald  steam  boat,  257,  267. 
Emigrant  society  organized,  337. 
Emmet  guards,  358. 
Emmet,  Mrs.  Robert,  411. 
Emmons,  Prof.  E.,  286. 
Engine,  ancient  fire,  425. 

or  water  spuyt,  18,  19,  20. 


Engine  house,  ordered,  91. 
key,  44. 

a  second  ordered,  90. 
Company,  No.  9,  330. 

disbanded,  329,  330. 
(See  Fire  engine.) 
Englehart,  E.  A.  H.,  378. 
Epidemic  of  1746,  184. 
Episcopal  church,  third,  296. 
Errata,  for  1743  read  1763,  last  para- 
graph, 152. 
for  structures  read  strictures. 

329. 

Ertzberger,  Mrs.  W.  G.,  428. 
Esleeck  Welcome,  293. 
Esopus,  post  established,  173. 
Ettridge,  Mrs.  Lydia,  353. 

William,  271. 
Eureka,  steam  boat,  307. 
Evening  Journal,  264,  265,  274. 
Evers,  Peter,  411. 
E  verse,  Hendrick,  151. 
Evertse,  Jacob,  jr.,  121. 

Johanm's,  62. 
Evertsen,  Barney  E.,  252. 
Jacob  I.,  235. 
John  I.,  229. 
Excise,  petition  to  farm,  85. 
'Exchange  bank,  286,  289. 
building,  258,  263. 
coffee  house,  271. 
street,  widening,  259. 
Express  from  Cape  Breton,  paid, 
119. 

to  New  York,  288,  310,  336. 
to  Troy,  347. 
Falconer,  Mary  P.,  368. 
Families,  old,  196,  199. 
Family  Newspaper,  275. 
Fanning,  Mrs.  Achsa,  241. 
Fanyou,  Mrs.  Jane,  331. 
! Farmers  excluded  from  State  St., 

274. 

^arnham,  Lewis,  242,  334. 
JFassett,  Amos,  408. 
Asa,  262. 
Timothy,  363. 
Fast  day  for  great  fire,  161. 
[Fay,  Mrs.  E.  A.,  271. 
j  Feast  of  shells,  393. 
|  Female  Academy,  257. 

Combe  busts,  300. 


Index. 


465 


Fences  to  be  broken  down,  12,  14,  Fires,  262,  264,  267,  268,  272,  274, 

276,  277,  278,  280,  282,  283, 
284,  289,  290,  301,  312,  319, 
321,  336,  339,  358,  359,  364, 
373,  374,  409,  412,  419,  420, 
421,422,429. 

for  common  council,  cost  of,  52. 
freedom  from,  312. 
1845,  364,  368. 
1858,  420. 

Firewood  for  troops,  122. 
First  baptist  church,  273. 
metnodist  church,  358. 
presbyterian  church,  325,  372, 

408. 

settlement,  184,  187. 
Fish  slip,  191. 
Fish,  Mrs.  Thomas,  278. 
Fisher,  Bastien,  136. 
burnt,  339. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth,  375. 
John,  died,  318. 
Mrs.  John,  301. 
James  D.,  325. 
Mrs.  J.  D.,  295. 
Rev.  Samuel,  344. 
Fiske,  George,  died,  267. 


15. 

Fergeson,  Sarah,  337. 
Fenoullc,  Mariette  412. 
Ferris,  li.-v.    Isaac,   232,  236,  246, 

257,  260,  268,  273,  304, 440,  441. 

Richard  T.,  292. 
Ferry  expenditures,  225. 

leased,  143. 

rat.-s,  142,  251. 

(see  Ureenbush  ferry.) 

street,  opening  of,  158. 
Field,  Jeremiah,  259. 
Fiele,  Lewifl  and  Peter,  55.      ^ 
Fighting  with  knives  prohibited, 

170. 

Filkins.  Mrs.  0.,  229. 
Finch,  Hiram,  285. 
F  inlay,  Alexander,  267. 
Finances  of  city,  259. 

1858,  429. 

Financial  distress,  333. 
Finn,  Henry,  153. 
Fire  of  1793,  160. 

apparatus  1858,  428. 

bell,  293. 

companies,  1845,  368. 

department,  235,  237,241,244, 


265,  271,  272,  304,  312, 
317,  329,  364,  368. 
election,  235. 
engine,  care  of,  114. 

ordered  from  England,  18, 

19,20. 

repairs  of,  74,  102. 
3d,  90,  91. 
engines  1845,  364. 
engineer,  338. 
expenses,  304. 

masters,  18,  29,  41,  42,  51,  62, 
74,  81,  86,  90,  93,  96,   103,  Flags  of  truce,  130. 
114,  119,  121,  133,  138,  141,  Flax  and  hemp,  399. 


Fitch,  Adah,  died,  287. 


Mrs.  Simeon,  282. 

Mrs.  William,  287. 
Fitzpatrick,  Mrs.  Catharine,  336. 

James.  355. 

John  J.,  424. 
Fitzsimmons,  Catharine,  245. 

John,  237. 
Five  nations,  conversion  of,  223. 

steene  on  Beaver  kill,  136. 
Flagg.  A.  C.,  290. 

Mrs.  Daniel  S.,  342. 

Preston,  421. 


145,  156. 

warrants,  138. 
Firemen  from  Charlestown,  381. 

salaries  of,  116. 
Firemen's  banner  presented,  261. 

jubilee,  425,  426. 
Fires,  29,    72,  90,    91,    160,    161, 


Fletcher,  Col.  Benjamin,  177. 
Flint,  Robert,  58,  67,  68. 
Flour,  385,  386. 

cost  of  freight  from*  Buffalo,. 

388. 

Flouring  mills,,  399. 
Floyd,  Thomas,  120. 


235,  236,  237,  238,  240,  248,lFloyde,  Thomas,  116. 

249,  250,  251,  262,  253,  264,JFlansburgh,  John,  96,  98,  99,  104,. 

256,  257,  258,  259,  260,  261 J         152. 

[Annals,  x.]  40 


466 


Index. 


Flansburgh,  Matthew,  16,  28,  31, 'Foxes kill,  15, 167  (see Foxescreek). 

38,  45,  47,  48,  50.  (Franks,  Abraham,  368. 

Mrs.  M.,  421. 


Follett,  Samuel  F.y  415. 
Folson,  John,  153. 
Fonda,  Abraham,  128. 

Abraham  James,  92. 

Douw,  72,  78,  80,  81,  84,  104. 
died,  280. 

Mrs.  Douw,  274. 

Douw  I.,  28,  38. 

Dowe  J.,  29,  93. 

Elsie,  194. 

Gysbert,  128. 

Isaac,  28,  38,  128. 

Klass,  20. 

Magdalen,  285. 
Fondey,  Charles,1  323. 

W.  H.,282,  308,  331. 
Fontfreyde,  John,  153. 
Forbey,  George,  jr.,  380. 
Ford,  Capt.  Eliakim,  366. 

Mrs.  Eliakim,  230. 

Thomas  W..  369. 

W.  R.,  328. 

Forestalling  prohibited,  266. 
Forest,  extent  of,  183. 
Forrester,  Mrs.  Mary,  407. 
Forsyth,  Russell,  292. 

W.  W.,  340,  378. 
Fort,  explosion  at,  25. 

Frederick,  412,  413. 

Orange,  when  built,  170,  174, 

186,  187. 
Fortifications,  115,  116. 

change  of  line,  110. 

in  1724, 181. 

petition  for,  45,107,117. 
Forts  of  Schaghticoke,  115. 
Fortt,  Abraham,  18,  71,87,  89,  105. 

Isaac,  18,  87. 
Foster,  Mrs.  Chandler,  326. 

Mrs.  William,  279. 
Fountain  creek,  69. 
Fourth  of  July,   244,259,  282,  294, 
305,  317,  330,  343,  352,  364. 

Presbyterian  church,  289,  336, 

344,  358,  426. 
Fowler,  S.  S.,  231,  242. 
Fox  street,  name  changed,  312. 
Foxes  creek,  24,  64,  67,  68,  74,  92, 
185,  186. 


Eraser,  Margaret,  240. 
Frazer,  Mrs.  Donald,  300. 

Mrs.  Hugh,  356. 

James,  28,  61. 
Fredendall,  Frederick,  375. 
Free  church,  434. 
Freedoms  granted,  42. 

how  to  be  given,  134. 

purchased  in  1781,  153. 
Freeman's  licence,  cost  of,  16. 
Freeman,  Mrs.  E.  P.,  362. 

Mrs.  John,  367. 

Robert,  349. 
Freligh,  Mrs.  Mary,  325. 
Freest,  Marta,  130. 
Freight,  heavy,  415. 
French,  Abel,  284,  345. 

Catholic  church,  353. 

invasion,  178. 

James  M.,  292,  334. 
Freshet,  great,  288,  310,  325.  • 
Frink,  Mrs.  C.  S.,  372. 
Frisbie,  Captain,  372. 

Edward,  262. 
Froment,  William,  269. 
Frontier  of  all  North  America,  107. 
Frontiers  reinforced,  179. 
Frothingham,  W.,  362. 

W.  W.,  340,  378. 

Mrs.  W.  W.,  325. 
Fruit,  356. 
Fry,  Charles  B.,  307. 

Daniel,  314,  318,  319,  378. 

Joseph,  313. 

William,  135. 

William  G.,  378. 
Fryar,  William,  121. 
Fryer,  Aaron  V.,  237. 

Isaac,  18,  19,  27,  99,  102. 

John,  111,  129. 

William,  141. 

William  J.,  327,  370. 
Fuddemart  (rag  market),  168. 
Fuller,  Mrs.  G.,  264. 

Reuben,  317. 

Fulton  Alexander,  died,  269. 
Funeral  inviter's  fees,  44. 
Funerals,  inviters  to,  68. 

fees  of  inviters,  34. 
Fur,  great  mart  in  1722,  181. 


Index. 


467 


Pur  and  peltry,  387. 
Furman,  Robert,  424. 
Furniture,  statistics  of,  399. 
Gaffers,  Maria,  254. 
Gager.  Daniel  C.,  346. 

Mrs.  John,  370. 
Gains,  William  H.,  330. 


Gay,  Amos,  243. 

Charles,  411. 

William  A.,  262,  263. 
|Gaynorx  Patrick,  369. 


\Jt  €*J  H\J  I  +     A    t*lAl  XV>.I\)     <-»V 

Greer,  George,  227. 

Geology  of  Albany  county,  162. 

Genet.  Edmund,  205. 
Gallows  hill,  15,  34,  40,  43,  47,  51,          Charles,  226. 

63,  67,  88,  99,  140.  Germond,  Peter,  306. 

Gallagher,  James,  271.  Gerritse,  Elbert,  23,  110. 


Galloghly,  Francis,  407. 
Galloway.  John,  331. 
Gallup,  Nathaniel.  303. 
Galvin,  Patrick,  408. 
Gansevoort  family,  199. 

Harme,  72,  131,  137,  140,  143, 
148,  151. 

Harriet,  298. 

John,  100. 

Johannes,  145. 

Leendert,41,  60,  61,72,  81,  84, 
85,  89,  103,  108,  118. 

Leonard,  died,  235. 

Leonard,  jr.,  159. 

Mrs.  L.,  265,  339. 

Maria,  318. 

Mary,  260. 

Peter,  310,  340. 

Mrs.  Peter,  311. 

Dr.  Rensselaer,  died,  297. 

Dr.  T.  E.,333. 
Gansevoort's  point,  120. 
Gardens,  401. 
Gartield,  Charles  L.,  301. 
Garling,  Joachim  B.,  411. 
Garmoy,  JellesD.,41. 

(see  De  Ganno.) 
Garnsey,  John,  277. 

Mrs.  John,  276. 
Garrison,  Mrs.  I.  P.,  294. 
Garrison  in  T747,  184. 

ill  condition  of,  26. 

repairs  to,  15Q. 
Garrot,  Mons.,  211. 
Gas,  attempt  to  introduce,  345. 

first  lighting  by,  367. 
Gaslight  company,  315,  316,  356. 
Gatekeeper,  118,  129, 
Gates  to  be  locked,  118. 
Gates.  Gerrit,  370. 

Mrs.  John,  292. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  241. 


pasture,  109,  110. 

Hendrick,  13,  17,  90. 

widow  Jan,  35, 

Maritje,  94. 

Ryer,  9,  13,  15,  17,  28,  38,  50, 

64,65,82,  118. 
Gibbons,  George  S.,  292. 

James,  242,  269. 
died,  352. 
Gibbonsville,  188. 
Gibson,  Benjamin,  419. 

Colin,  153. 

Georgianna,  374. 

James,  373. 

Mrs.  James,  339. 

John,  374. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  378. 

Washington  G.,  417. 
iGidley,  Timothy  H.,  329. 
Gilbert,  Benjamin,  247. 

Mrs.  Benjamin,  258. 
Gill,  Mrs.  George,  257. 

John,  died,  343. 

Matthew,  died,  311. 

Mrs.  Williams,  373. 

William,  died,  293. 
Gillespie,  Elizabeth,  died,  357.  " 

Thomas  M.,  293. 

William,  242. 
Gillett,  Cyrrel,  355. 

Mrs.  T.  S.,  370. 
Gilligan,  John,  362. 
Gladding,  Mrs.  George  W.,  372. 

Hannah,  died,  266. 

Joseph  H.,  295. 

Sophia  M.,  344. 

Stephen,  325. 

Timothy,  371. 

Mrs.  Timothy,  380. 
Glasshouse,  219. 
Glen.  Abraham,  183. 

Capt.,  176. 


468 


Index. 


Glen,  Jacob,  60,  61,  79,  96,  116. 

Johannes,  72. 

John,  81,  86,  89,  92,  96,  114, 
130,  139,  143,  151,  187. 

John,  died,  374. 

Mrs.  John,  366. 

Simon,  died,  316. 
Godden  David,  died,  312. 
Godley,  John  S.,  308. 

Patience,  died,  373. 
Goewy,  Johannis,  61. 

Peter,  14. 

Goldwait,  Jonathan,  270. 
Goodrich,  Charles,  241. 

John,  348. 

Goodson,  William,  412. 
^Goodwin,  Mrs.  Sarah,  316. 
Goold,  Jas.,  271,  281,  361,  370,  378. 

James  &  Co.,  280. 

Mrs.  John  H.,  S05. 
Gordon,  Mrs.  John,  422. 
Gorham,  captain,  247. 
-Gough,  Thomas,  349,  375. 

William,  297. 

Gould,   Anthony,   died,  340,  347, 
417. 

Charles  D.,  281. 

Mrs.  J.  P.,  355. 

Job,  died,  370. 

Mrs.  Nancy,  366. 

Thomas,  200. 

William,  died,  368,  417. 
•Gourlay,  Helen  L.,  431. 

James,  jr.,  353. 

W.  B.,  378. 
Gove,  Dorothy,  375. 
Governor,  address  to,  36,  112. 

entertained,  78,  115. 

letter  from,  127,  147. 

letters  to,  24,  25,  146. 
Governor,  petition  to,  123,  125. 
Governor's  house,  281. 
Governor's  message,  336. 
Governour,  Abraham,  45. 
Gracie,  Oliver  C.,  363. 
Grades,  between  Eagle  and  Lark 

streets,  251. 
Graham,  Augustus,  365. 

Samuel,  365. 

T.  V.  W.,  155. 

Mrs.  T.  V.  W.,  338. 

garden,  243. 


Granger,  Mrs.  R.  D.,  337. 
Grant,  Mrs.  Anne,  286. 

Henry  Allan,  268. 

Mrs.  Margaret,  363. 
Grave  stones,  old,  258. 
Grave  yards,  154. 
Graveraat,  Isaac,  44. 
Gray,  Robert,  267. 

Mrs.  John,  308. 
Greene,  Henry,  280,  292,  370,  351. 

Powers  L.,  420. 
Greenbush,  188. 

ferry,  141,  142,  288,  289,  300. 

firemen,  261. 

&  West  Stockbridge  R.R.,  243. 
Green  street  baptist  church,  256. 

fire,  339. 
Gregory,  Benjamin,  326. 

&  Bain,  347. 

&  Co.,  347. 

John,  438. 

Dr.  L.  H.,  284. 

&  Nelson's  stable  burnt,  289. 

Matthew,  210. 
Griesman,  Mrs.,  419. 
Griffin,  Julia,  369. 

Oscar  P.,  267. 
Grinell  Lewis,  229. 
Grist  mill  at  Schaghticoke,  107. 
Groat,  Abraham  S.,  349. 
Grocers  declined  to  sell  bread,  270. 
Groesbeck  John,  269,  272,  281,  292, 

303,  327. 
Groesbeeck,  Abraham,  156. 

David,  12,  28,  38,  43,  67,  68,  92. 

Davidjr.,  151. 

David  D.,  136. 

Gerardus,  100. 

Jacob  Jo.,  103. 

Johannis,  34,  60. 

Nicholas,  74,  83. 

Stephen,  349,  380. 

William,  127,  245. 

William  W.,  264. 

Wouter,  74,  77,  151. 
Grovestein,  Mrs.  Abraham,  347. 
Guernsey,  A.  P.,  355. 
Guardenier,  George,  271,  369. 
Guest,  Thomas,  314. 
Guns,  great,  43,  46,  60. 

three  great,  121,  122. 
Guthrie,  Alexander,  349. 


Index. 


469 


Gutt-rs  in  old  times,  195. 

cut  at  Schaghticoke,  115. 
Gayer,  Mrs.  Isaac  D.,  334. 
Haas,  Zecharia,  120. 
Hackley,  PhiloC.,418. 
Hall,  Abijah,  424. 

Annette,  363. 

Mrs.  Asahel,  300. 

Green,  242. 

Mrs.  G.  L.,  406. 

Joseph,  153,  323,  351. 

Mrs.  S.  B.,  321. 

Thomas,  died,  261. 

Willis,  334,  343. 
Halleubake,  Mrs.  C.,  died,  301. 

street,  280. 

Hallenbeck,  John,  230. 
llall<-nbeeck,  Hendrick,  40. 
Hallett,  Mrs.  Thomas,  359. 
Halloway,  Rev.  W.  W.,  442. 
Hamilton,  Isaac,  died,  233. 

Mrs.  Isaac,  376. 

John,  253. 

Mrs.  John,  233. 

street  bridge,  259. 
fire,  422. 
mound,  278. 
opening  of,  333. 
Baptist  Church,  295. 

village,  165. 

Hammond,  Jabez  D.,  419. 
Hanuh,  Mrs.  Jane,  283. 
Hancock,  Jotham,  242,  312. 

Mrs.  Jotham,  252. 
Hand  B.  G.,  died,  285. 

B.  W.,  314,  327,  334. 

Isaac,  246. 

M  P..  255. 
Handford,   George,  269,  279,  292, 

303. 

Han-man,  salary,  119. 
Hanks,  Julius,  225. 

;.,   Hans,  17,  72,81,85,  130, 
137,  144. 

H«-ndrii:k,  85. 

Johiinnis,  jr.,  38. 

Isaac,  119. 

John  T.  S.,  371. 

Philip,  18,  24,  92,96,  111. 

Ryckert,  42,  72,  74,  81.  85,  89, 

92,  94,  95,  97. 
Harbeck,  Samuel,  228. 


Harbormaster,  report,  275, 286,308, 

356. 

aarcourt,  John  W.,  361,  370. 
Elard  cider  campaign,  305. 
ftardenbroek,  171. 
Hardware  statistics,  398. 
Hardy,  William  J.,  416. 
Hare,  Daniel,  jr.,  267. 
Sari  em  rail  road,  346. 
Harman,  Thomas  W.,  282. 
Harned,  S.  W.,  378. 
Harney,  Alice,  427. 
Harris,  Elizabeth,  359. 

Ira,  281,  310,  356,  366,  371, 246, 
379. 

Mrs.  Ira,  363. 

James,  257. 

Robert,  371. 
Harrison  convention,  253. 

Gen.,  funeral,  313. 

Mrs.  James,  284. 

J.,  378. 

John,  370. 

jubilee,  312. 
Harsen,  Barnardus,  82,  114. 
Hart,  II.  V.,  269. 

Henry,  153. 
Hartness,  Mrs.  James,  363. 

Thomas  L.,  328,  373. 
Harvey,  Thomas,  331. 
Haskell,  S.  P.,289. 
Hastings,  F.  H.,  349. 

Hugh  J.,  344. 

Redmond,  337. 

Seth,  279,  292,  303,  342. 

died,  March,  1859. 
Haswell,  H.  B.,  274,  361,  378. 
Hats,  &c.,  statistics  of,  398. 
Hat  on,  John,  76. 
Havens,  Mrs.  Benjamin,  362. 
Hawe,  Daniel,  362. 
Hawley,  Aaron,  279. 

Elizabeth,  372. 

Gideon,  325,  343,  390. 

H.  Q.,  304. 
Hay,  399. 

scales,  burnt,  412. 
Hayes,  John,  428. 
Hays,  Timothy,  258. 
Hazard,  N.  M.,  336. 

Mrs.  William  H.,  328. 
Hooghkirck,  Luycas,31, 34, 42, 110. 


470 


Index. 


Hooker,  Philip,-242,  252. 
Hopkins,  Mrs.  H.,  356. 
Hops,  399. 
Homer,  James,  310. 
Horsford,  E.  N.,  317,  322. 
Horth,  Francis,  died,  300. 
Hosford,  Mrs.  David,  308. 
Hospital,  287,  352. 
Hotchkiss,  Judith,  411. 
Hotels,  392. 

Hough,  Mrs.  R.  P.,  431. 
Housatonic  rail  road,  337,  377. 
House  of  prayer,  235. 
Houses  in  1760,  187. 

1788,  219. 

1800,  194. 

1825,  186. 
Howard,  Mrs.  Ephraim,  376. 

Mrs.  J.  H.,  330. 

Mrs.  Lawrence,  274. 

Lloyd,  245. 

Mrs.  Matthew,  289. 
Howe,  Jesse,  died,  270. 

Matthew,  271. 
Hoy.  Patrick,  408. 
Hoyt,  Geo.  A.,  died,  368. 

George  B.,  228. 

Henry,  266. 

Hubbard,  Franklin,  285. 
Hudson,  riot  in,  358.  . 

river  railroad,  261,  376. 

steam  boat  company,  228. 

street  pond,  317,  367. 
ravine,  169. 

square,  244. 
Hueson,  Robert,  160. 
Hughes,  Dorothy,  349. 

John  M.,  340,361. 

Mrs.  John,  366. 

Uriah,  346. 

William,  died,  316. 
Humphrey,  captain,  427. 

Dr.  C.,  225. 

Daniel,  W.,  378. 

Friend,  245,  248,  269,  279, 
297,  340,  349,  361. 

Hugh,  350. 

Mrs.  John,  286. 

Martha,  died,  266. 

Stephen  V.  R.,  352. 
Humphries,  John,  371. 
Hun,  Harme,  96. 


Hun,  Thomas,  155. 

L)r.  Thomas,  280,  378. 
Hunn  Dirck,  135. 

Johannis,  128,  129,  135. 
Hunt,  Davis,  157. 

James  M.,  412. 
Hunter,  Elkanah,  370. 

Isabella,  300. 

James,  227,  357. 

Robert,  died,  338. 
Hurdis,  Mrs.  John,  420. 
Hurst,  Mrs.  William,  376. 
Huson,  Daniel,  23. 

Daniel,  jr.,  139. 
Hutchinson,  Mrs.  Robert,  417. 
jHutton,  I.  &  G.,  200. 
Hydrant  company,  350. 
Hyer,  Gerrit,  163. 
Hynes,  David,  431. 
Ice  broke  in  crossing,  276. 
Ide,  Rev.  G.  B.,  231,  232,  236,  246. 
Iggett,  captain  John,  376. 
Improvements,  198. 

in  building,  328. 
Impressment  in  1746,  184. 
Inclined  planes  abolished,  354. 
Indian  agent,  120. 

annuities,  414. 

corn,  399. 

deed  of  Tienenderogue,  52-4. 

express,  9. 

interpreter,  10. 

name  of  Albany,  &c.,  173. 

sheds,  181. 

treaty,  36. 
Indians,  173. 

in  1745,  182. 

in  1747,  184. 

regulations  concerning,  41. 

visit  England,  1 80. 
Industrial  school,  430. 
Infant  schools,  256,  292. 

suspended,  243. 
;  Ingalls,  Betsey,  336. 
281,  Innovation,  opposition  to,  191. 
Insurance  Co.,  Albany,  380. 
Interments,  366. 
Ireland,  aid  to,  376. 

meeting  in  aid  of,  376. 

repeal  movements  in,  342,  352. 
Iron  bridge  fell,  422. 

ware,  387. 


Index. 


471 


Isaac  Newtoii,  steam  boat,  374, 430 
Ives,  Josepl/  died,  313. 

Mrs.  J*sVph,  231. 
Jackson,    Andrew,  funeral    obse- 
quies. 364. 

David,  334. 

Jakey,  died,  377. 
Jacobs,  Lucy,  250. 
Jacobse.  Harpert,  23,  167. 
Jail,  31. 

petition  for,  78. 
James,  Augustus,  236,  390. 

Elisha  B.,  270. 

Frederick  P.,  305. 

John  V.,  422. 

William,  200. 

Rev.  William,  236. 
Jamieson,  Malcolm,  died,  257. 
Jarvis,  Seth,  242,  269,  279. 
Jay,  Charles  M.  B.,  407. 
Jay  street  lighted.  229. 
Jenkins,  Charles  E.,  347. 

Charles  M.,  273,  378. 

Elisha,  205. 

Isaac,  243. 

Joseph  G.,  346. 

Lemuel,  229,  269. 
Jenkinson,  Thomas,  365. 
Jenks,  Mrs.  N.,  329. 
Jenonderago,  gift  of,  9,  10. 
Jermain,  John  P.,  240. 
John  Jay,  steam  boat,  240. 
Johnson,  Ann  W.,  died,  372. 

Caleb,  died,  306. 

Deborah,  284. 

Elizabet,  373. 

John  B.,  161. 

Mrs.  Henry,  377. 

Hugh,  300. 

Mrs.  Jane,  322. 

Michael  I.,  381. 

Noadiah,  290. 

Stephen  W.,  260,  358. 

Thomas,  406,  427. 

Col.  William,  129,  130. 

W.  D.,  343. 
Joice,  Mrs.  R.  L.,  380. 
Joncker  st.  market  house,  91. 

well  in,  56. 
Jones,  John,  408. 

J.  I.,  314,  328,  340.  370. 

Mrs.  J.  I.,  350. 


Jones.  Mrs.  J.  P.,  411. 

Margaret,  364. 

Parmenas,  289. 

Peter,  100,  110,127. 

Peter  C.,  371. 

Thomas  P.,  341. 

William,  340,  350. 
Jope,  Rev.  James,  died,  277. 
Joscelyn,  Sylvanus,  346. 
Joralemen,  Peter,  356. 
Jordan,  Edward,  347. 

Mrs.  Edward,  374. 

James,  326. 
Joy,  Thaddeus,  255,  300,  314,  318. 

Miles,  327. 
Judd,  Chester,  247. 

John  C.,  372. 

Rachel,  367. 
Judge  entertained  with  wine,  122. 
Judson.  Mrs.  Elijah,  370. 

I.  L.,  242,  244,  269,  279,  292, 

Nathaniel,  285.  [340. 

July  4th  (see  Fourth  July). 
Jurors,  compensation  to,  333. 
Jury  expedition,  99. 
Kane,  Elisha,  died,  235. 

Elisha,  2d,  died,  307. 

Hazael,  269,  279,  281,  286,  293, 
316,  318,  328. 

James,  200,  201,  216,  340. 

Mrs.  John  L,  333. 

Joseph,  409. 

Mrs.  Leah,  379. 

Lydia  Sybil,  311. 

Oliver,  326. 
Kane  property,  242. 
Kearney,  Capt.,  299. 

William  H.,  379. 

Mrs.  W.  H.,  374. 
Keeler,  C.  A.,  255,  279,  443. 

James,  269. 

Mrs.  James,  265. 
Keese,  William  L.,  254. 
Keith,  Laban  W.,  342. 

Mrs.  Laban  W.,  380. 

Philip,  352. 
Kellogg  Mrs.  C.  P.,  342. 
Kelso,  John,  279. 
Kelley,  Catharine,  426. 
Kelly,  Seth  F.,  327. 
Kemp,  William,  373. 
Kennedy,  Rev.  Duncan,  324. 


472 


Index. 


Kennedy,  Jane,  409. 
Keuyon,  John,  280,  314,  371. 
Kent,  James,  205. 
Kerker,  Andrew,  303. 

David  A.,  308. 
Kervin,  John,  330. 
Kettelhuyn,  D.  &  J.,  57. 

Jochim,  104. 
Keyes,  Henry,  380. 
Keyser,  Mrs.  Peter,  312. 
Kidd,  Elizabeth,  409. 
Kiddenhooghteu,  166. 
Kidney,  Jacobus,  90,  99. 

Johannes,  93. 

Roeliff,  81,  82. 
Kilbourne,  John,  411. 
Kinderhook,  181,  183. 

bridge,  181. 
King,  Frederick,  died,  296. 

James,  232,  317. 

N.  G.,  304. 

Rums,  428. 

Mrs.  Rufus,  282. 

Rums  H.,  294,  302,419. 

Mrs.  S.  W.,  357.     ' 
King's  birthday,  151. 

health  drank,  103. 

wharf,  414. 
Kingsley,  Nathan,  279. 

Thaddeus,  309. 
Kingston  redoubt,  173. 
Kinnear,  Susan,  died,  286. 
Kinney,  John  S.,  370. 
Kip,  Abraham,  112. 

Rev.  W.  I.,  433. 
Kirk,  Andrew,  280,  281. 

Rev.  E.  N.,  232,  236,  238,  245, 
246,  268. 

George,  died,  307. 
Kirkpatrick  and  Lagrange,  350. 

Robert,  427.  [374. 

Thomas,    303,   314,    340,   361, 
Kissarn,  Samuel,  308. 
Kitchnaers,  Anna,  14. 
Kitchiner,  Mrs.  78,  109. 
Kittle,  Adam,  died,  270. 

Mrs.  Adam,  252. 

Daniel  S.,  242,  292,  303,  325. 

Mrs.  D.  S.,  346. 

Sybrant,  348,  417. 

Mrs.  N.,  309. 

Mrs.  Sarah,  331. 


Kleyne  clay  hill,  75. 
Kline,  Mrs.  Matthias,  431. 
Knapp,  Mary  H.,  268. 

Susan,  349. 
Knickerbacker,  Harme,  151 . 

Johannis,  30,  37,  59,  71,  108. 

steam  boat,  quick  trip,  343. 
Knight,  Thomas  S.,  423. 
Knives,  fighting  with,  170. 
Knoet,  John,  136. 
Knower,  A.  P.,  321. 

Benjamin,  201,  295,  321,  371, 
390. 

Charles,  died,  263. 

Edmund,  350. 

Henry,  323. 

George  S.,  267. 

Mrs.  George,  311. 
Knowles,  J.  Sheridan,  234. 
Koonz,  Abram,  280,  327. 
Kosciusko,  steam  boat,  301. 
Koster,  Henry,  38,  50,  61,  73. 
Kugler,  Matthew,  245. 
JLabascheiner,  Morris,  417. 
Lacy,  William,  433. 
Ladders  inspected,  142. 
Ladue,  J.  C.  F.,  329. 
Lafayette,  funeral  ceremonies,  227. 
La  Grange,  Mrs.  Isaac,  289. 
Lagransie,  Christiaen,  129. 
Lamb,  James,  425. 
L'Amoreux,  Covel,  296. 

Joseph,  306. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  274. 

Wendell,  352. 
Lamphire,  Mrs.  Jane,  229. 
Lamps,  expense  of,  225,  430. 

in  Jay  street,  229. 
Lancaster  school,  169,  259. 

closed,  256. 

house,  266,  278. 
Landers,  Mrs.  Catherine,  417. 
Landon,  William,  324. 
Lands,  price  of,  16. 
Langaserie,  French  flag,  130. 
Lansing,  Abraham  G.,  203,  205. 

Dr.  A.  G.,  351. 

A.  T.  E.,  325. 

Chancellor,  203,  205,  382. 

Charles  B.,  264,  308. 
Mrs.  Charles  B.,  365. 
C.  R.,  279. 


Index. 


473 


Lansing,  Elizabeth,  232. 
Mrs.  E.  J.,  328. 
George  S.,  321. 
Gerrit,  110,  112,  116. 
Gen-it,  Jr.,  10,  14,  17. 
Mrs.  Gerrit,  Jr.,  289. 
Gerrit  G.  Jr.,  96. 
Gerrit  J.,  103. 

Gerrit  Y.,  233,  310,  314,  340. 
Mrs.  G.  Y.,  282. 
Mrs.  Harriet,  301. 
Henry  Q.,  228. 
Isaac,  13,  415. 
Jacob,  64,  119. 
Jacob,  353,  361,409. 
Jacob  A.,  89. 
Jacob!.,  127. 
Johannis,  16,  138. 
Johannis  J.,  72,  81,  92,    133, 

Mrs.  John,  263. 
John  S.,  137. 
Mrs.  Myndert,  360. 
Rev.  Nicholas,  246. 
Mrs.  Obadiah,  408. 
Philip,  143. 
Peter,  151. 
Peter,  jr.,  233,  238. 
Robert,  89,  92,  109,  135. 
Sander  J'se,  141, 
Mrs.  Susannah,  301. 
Lansingh,  Abraham,  69, 70, 80, 102, 

115. 

Abraham  A.,  82. 
Abraham,  jr.,  19,  23,  24,  94, 96. 
Mrs.  C.  Y.,362. 
Gerardus,  146. 
Gerrit,  47,  69,  100,  109,  112. 
Gerrit  G.,  50,  96,  153, 
Gerrit,  jr.,  13,  138. 
Gerrit  Ja.,  82,  114,  119,  120. 
Gerrit  I.,  21. 
Isaac,  9,  14,  17. 
Jacob,  13,  17,  50,  68,  90. 
Jacob  James,  121, 
Col.  J.  J.,  410. 
Johannes,  90. 
Johannis,  jr.,  50,  111. 
Johannis  G. ,  42. 
Johanuis  Jacobus,  133. 
Johannis  Jacobse,  145. 
Johannis  Jan,  133. 


Lansingh,  Johannis  Ja.,  151. 

Johannis  Johannisse,  89. 

Robert,  28,  96,  100,  102,  114. 

Rutger,  127. 
Larcher,  Mrs.  Edward  M.,  318. 
Latham,  Jasper,  406. 
Lathrop,  Mrs.  Henry,  377. 

William,  298. 
Lattimore,  Benjamin,  279. 
Lavender,  William,  375. 
Latitude  of  city,  186. 
Lawrence  street  bridge  fell,  422. 

fire,  278,  429. 

Lawrence,  Thomas,  died,  369. 
Laws  of  1835  respecting  Albany, 

243. 

Lawson,  Robert  W.,  died,  325. 
Lay,  Mrs.  Robert  S.,  280. 
Leake,  John  W.,  334. 
Lease,  terms  of,  at  Tiononderogo, 

16. 

Leather  statistics,  399. 
Leavenworth,  Mrs.  William,  256. 
Leddy,  James,  359. 
Leddmgs,  Jacob,  309. 
Legransey,  Christiaen,  135. 
Legislature,  243,  258,  270,  304,  316. 
Leislerians,  179. 
Leonard,  Richard,  267. 
Leslie,  John,  229. 

William,  409. 
Lewis,  Mrs.  Anne,  257. 

Mrs.  Henry,  374. 

Lewis,  343. 

Mrs*  Maria,  373. 

Mrs.  R.  S.,  368. 
L.  wis's  creek,  31,  55,  84,  114,  115. 
Lightbody,  John,  234. 
Lime,  386. 
Linacre,  Catharine,  367. 

James,  321. 

James  F.,  275. 

Margaret,  424. 

Mary,  298. 
Lincoln,  Orrin,  died,  303. 
Lindsey,  John,  29,  42,  51. 
Lingrey,  French  flag,  130. 
Lion  street,  410. 
Little.  Charles  A.,  241. 

Mrs.  H.  H.,  308. 

Mark,  died,  339. 
Live  stock,  399. 


474 


Index. 


Living,  cheap  in  Albany,  390. 
Livingston,  C.,  292. 

Edward,  233.  305. 

Mrs.  G.  R.,  340. 

John,  119,  120. 

J.  A.,  361,  370,  378. 

J.  D.,  314. 

Margaret,  112. 

Peter  B.,  66. 

Philip,  14,  50,  64,  65,  120,  132, 
180. 

Philip,  jr.,  91,  111,  118,  120. 

Philip  G.,  134,  135! 

Robert,  168. 

Capt.  Robert,  jr.,  84. 

widow,  79. 
Lloyd,  Mrs.  Eleanor,  309. 

William  Henry,  278, 

James,  258. 

Joseph  W.,  359. 
Loan  to  rail  road,  293,  294,  346. 
Loatwall,  Mrs.  James,  366. 
Lobdel,  Mrs.  Stephen,  227. 
Lochertv,  Mrs.  E.,  267. 

Mrs".  W.  C.,  316. 
Lockwood,  Alvah  M.,  238. 
Lodge  street  graded,  301 . 
Log  cabin  raised,  305. 
Logan,  Mrs.  Matthew,  293. 
Loomis,  Geo.,  died,  316. 

George  J.,  271. 
Lord  Edmund,  379. 
Lots  in  city,  price  of,  20,  24. 
Loveridge,  C.,  307,  318,  333,  334, 

344. 
Lovett,  Alexander  H.,  367. 

John,  418,  451. 

Mrs.  John,  344. 

John  E.,  231,  279,  380,  381. 
Low,  Addison,  343. 

Mrs.  Charles,  373. 
Luce,  Mrs.  Vinal,  431. 
Ludlow,  Rev.  Dr.,  232. 
Lumber  trade,  385,  386. 

yards,  400. 
Lush,  Elsie,  died,  342. 

SamuelS.,  317. 

Mrs.  Stephen,  318. 

William,  died,  233,  371. 
Luther,  George  W.,  378. 

Jeremiah,  409. 
Lutheran  church,  154,  168,  344. 


Lux  Jacob,  407. 

Mrs.  Jacob,  408. 
Lydius  street,  169. 

park,  247. 
Lyman,  Nathan,  440,  442,  450. 

Sylvester,  292. 

William,  415. 
Lyndesay,  John,  86. 
Leyne,  Michael,  246. 
Lyon,  Aaron,  375. 

Isaac  L.,  330. 
Lyons,  Ann  E.,  376. 
Maase,  Cornells,  121,  127. 

Jacob,  51. 

Jan,  69,  70,  78. 

Jan,  jr.,  128. 
Mabon,  John,  339. 
Macauley's  account  of  Albany,  171. 
Machinery,  census  of,  398. 
Mad  creek,  165. 
Maddix,  James,  325. 
Maffit,  Rev.  John  N.,  358. 
Magennis,  Roger,  341. 
Mahackaneghtuck,  173. 
Maher,  James,  242,  253,  269,  279, 
327,  340,  370. 

Mary,  331. 
Mahon,  James,  408. 
Mahony,  William,  425. 
Maiden  lane,  354. 

cut  in  pier,  378. 
widening,  259,  260. 
Mail  lost  in  crossing  on  ice,  276. 
Main,  Mrs.  Rebecca,  363. 
Maize,  399. 

Malburn,  W.  P.,  314,  327. 
Malcolm,  Elizabeth,  328. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth,  347. 
Maley,  John,  153. 
iMancius,  Mrs.  Jane  A.,  229. 
jMandeville,  Rev.  H.,  died,  426. 
I  Mandivel,  Jeremiah,  11,  14. 
Manning,  Daniel,  306. 

Col.  John  B.,  293. 

Mrs.  John,  228. 
Manor  House,  repaired,  342. 
Mansfield,  Abraham,  68. 

John,  278. 
'Manufactories,  398. 
Manufacturers,  398,  399. 
(Many,  Charles  C.,  343. 
i  Marble  manufactures,  398. 


Index. 


475 


Marcellis,  Gerrit,  29,  109. 

Gysbert,  50,  137. 
March,  Dr.  A.,  280. 
Marcy,  William  L  ,  233,  285,  295. 
Market  gardeners,  400. 

house,  13,  62. 

torn  down,  136. 
petition  for,  16. 

houses,  shingled,  102. 

regulations,  77,  266. 

2d  Ward,  70. 

wagons,  regulated,  344. 
Markets,  public,  91. 

turned  to  barracks,  120. 
Marselis  (see  Marcellis). 

John,  92,  96,  100,111,118,119. 
Marselius  (see  Marcellis). 
Marshal,  138. 

salary  of,  14.  256,  266. 
Marshall,  Cornelius  B.,  275. 

D.  P.,  285. 

Mrs.  D.  P.,  266. 

Peter,  38. 
Marten,  Dirk,  12. 
Martin  Agrippa,  286. 

David,  327. 

H.  H.,  327,  340. 

Mrs.  Henry,  278. 

James,  248. 

Mrs.  James,  240. 

Rev.  James,  236. 

John  R.,  344. 

Richart,  12,  15,  89,  92,  93. 

Robert,  273,  298. 
Marvin,  Mrs.  Alexander,  409. 

Brothers,  200 

Richard,  died,  306. 

Uriah,  jr.,  305. 
Mascraft,  William,  257. 
Mascord,  Mrs.'  William,  355. 
Mason,  W.,  438. 
Masons,  strike  of,  291. 
Masten,  William,  409. 
Masters  of  vessels,  77. 
Mather,  Elias,  344. 

Mather,  James  G.,  242. 

Thomas,  200. 
Mathias,  arrested,  230. 
Matthews,  William,  409. 
Mattice,  Mrs.  Henry,  417. 
Mav.-ll,  Kmeline,  379. 

William,  328. 
Mayer,  Rev.  Fred.  G.,  236,  336. 


Mayer,  H.  W.,  367. 

Mrs.  Wm.  H.,  376. 
Mayor  and  aldermen,  chain  bearers 

at  6s.  a  day,  43. 
Mayor,  1731,  9. 

1732,  29. 

1733,  41. 
1740,  93. 
1741,96. 
1742,  102. 
1748,  131. 
1750,  140. 
1836,  266. 

1838,  275. 

1839,  287. 

1840,  300. 

1842,  327. 

1843,  340. 

1844,  349. 
1845,361. 

1846,  370. 

1847,  378. 
1858,  412. 

per  diem,  pay.  73. 

patents  in  nands  of,  102. 

justice  of  peace,  131. 
Mayor's  commission,  17. 
McAdam  Hugh,  153. 
McAllaster,  Anson,  378. 
McAlpin,  John,  333. 
McBnde,  Mrs.  William,  411. 
McBurnev,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  366. 
McCabe  &  Holmes,  264. 

James,  269,  280. 

General  James,  344. 

Linus,  died,  305. 

Mrs.  Linus,  277. 
McCall,  H.  S.,  352. 

P.,  378. 
McCammon,  Enoch,  360. 

Mrs.  William,  293. 
McCaflery,  James,  409. 
McChesney,  Margaret,  283. 

Rebecca,  288. 

McCleheran,  Mrs.  George,  373. 
McClintock,  Mrs.  John,  328. 
McClosky,  Rev.  Mr.,  379. 
McClure,  Archibald,  ,273. 

James,  292,  303,  309,  345. 

Mrs.  James  E.,  423. 

Mrs.  —  ,  323. 

McCollom,  Robert,  340,  350,  361. 
McCotter,  Mrs.  Neal,  420. 


476 


Index. 


McCoy  &  Clark,  374. 
MeCrea,  Messrs.  Elizabeth,  370. 
McCulloch,  Hathorn, died, Feb.  '59 
Mr.  Hathorn,  423. 
John,  355. 
William,  339. 
Mrs.  W.  S.,  355. 
McDole,  John,  243. 
McDonald,  Angus,  423. 
Donald,  360. 
Margaret,  298. 

McDonough,  Rev.  James,  379. 
McDoual,  Alexander,  B.,  334. 
McDugall,  William,  247. 
McDowall,  Jno.,  348. 
McDuffie,  Angus,  234,  237,  366. 
McElroy,  Alexander,  381. 
Mrs.  Alexander,  241. 
Margaret,  373. 
Maria  A.,  275. 
Peter,  375. 
Thomas,  246,  255, 260, 280,  281 , 
292,  300,  304,  312,  314,  370, 
417. 
William,   225,   246,   319,   340, 

349,  351. 

McFarlan,  Robert,  284. 
McGlashan,  Mrs.  C.,  295. 
McGourkey,  Mary,  died,  362. 
McGrath,  Hugh,  258. 
McGuire,  Thomas,  412. 
McHarg,  Catharine,  415. 
Grizel,  344. 
Mrs.  William,  277. 
Mclntosh,  David,  409. 
E.  C.  245. 

William,  died,  307. 
Mclntyre,  Archibald,  310,  415. 

J.  McD.,  304. 
McKaig,  Mrs.  Andrew,  431. 

Mrs.  J.  N.,  420. 
McKay,  Mrs.  Mary,  288. 
McKee,  Margaret,  272. 
Rev.  Robert,  306. 
McKenna,  Susanna,  281. 
McKercher,  Mrs.  Duncan,  428. 
McKilvey,  Daniel,  325. 

Phoebe,  365. 
McKnight,  John,  298,  303, 314, 327, 

340,  350,  362. 

McKown,  James,  225,  231,237,251, 
254,262,281,310,380. 


McKissick,  Mrs.  S.,  343. 
McLachlan,  Agnes,  371. 

David,  280. 

D.  M.  427. 

Mrs.  Duncan,  230. 

Fergus,  230. 

Robert,  270. 
Mclaughlin,  Eliza,  421. 

James,  258. 

William  D.,  295. 
McLean,  Alexander,  379. 
McMannus,  Mrs.  B.,  369. 
McMichael,  Daniel,  136. 
McMillen,  John,  282. 
McMullen,  Andrew,  351. 

Thomas,  292,  294, 303, 317, 349, 
356. 

William,  died,  412. 
McNaugthon,  James,  232. 

Mrs.  Angus,  321. 
McNoah,  Jane,  274. 

Grace,  270. 

McPherson,  Mrs.  Charles,  336. 

George,  326. 

Mrs.  Janet,  368. 

Murdock,  322. 
McQuade,  Mrs.  P.,  261. 
Me  Williams,  Mrs.  James,  428. 
Meacham,  Erastus,  323. 

Mrs.  Horace,  298. 

J.,  297. 

John,  died,  357. 

Mrs.  John,  417. 
tfead,  Huldah  Ann,  died,  377. 
VIeade,  Charles  Richard,  409. 
Meads,  John,  232,  died  Feb.  1859, 

aged  82. 

VIeasures  procured,  9. 
Mechanics'  convention,  319. 

&  Farmers'  B'k,  189,  201,  207. 

meeting,  318. 
Medical  College,  169,  256,  266,  278, 
280,  281,  350. 

application  for  incorporation, 
257. 

opened,  287. 
VIeech,  Mrs.  H.  T.,  424. 

Horace,  255,  314,  327. 
Meeker,  Rev.  Hiram,  232,  236. 
Melius,  Andrew  W.,  408. 
Memorial  on  the  public  distress, 
123. 


Index. 


477 


Merchant.  Henry,  295. 

G.  AV.,344. 

Merchants,  principal,  SCO. 
Men-meld,  George,  292,  303,  314. 

James,  died,  305. 

Thomas  V.  /,.,  366. 
Merril,  John  W.,  278. 
Mesick,  Mrs.  11.  T.,  341. 
Message,  competion  for,  265. 
Metals,  statistics  of,  398. 
Methodist  church  burnt,  290. 

new,  353. 

Washington  street,  322. 

Episcopal  churches,  240. 

Protestant  society,  235.       . 
Middle  alley,  widening,  259,  260. 
Middlebergh,  83. 
Middle  Dutch  Church,   257,  262, 

410. 

burial  ground,  258. 
Miles,  John,  342. 
Military  Association,  262. 

at  Clarkesville,  21-9. 

company  parade,  406. 

posse,  319. 

sent  to  Hudson,  358. 

stores,  &c.,  97. 
Milk,  price  raised,  261. 
Millbank,  James,  300. 
Miller,  Abraham,  O.,  264. 

Alexander,  161. 

Andrew,  334. 

Anna,  344. 

Mrs.  Charles,  325. 

Christian,  268,  357,  441. 

Harvey,  375. 

Isaac  L.  K.,  359. 

Jacob  J.,  246. 

Philip,  334. 

Richard,  138,  141. 

Mrs.  S.irah,  376. 

Sii-annah,  300. 

William  A.,  228, 

William  C.,  440,  442,  450. 

Mrs.  W.  C.,  275. 
Milliman,  John,  378. 

Mrs.  John,  331. 
Mills,  John,  376. 

Col.  John,  remains  buried  in 

Capitol  park,  351. 
Mills,  Oliver,  421. 
Milton,  Mrs.  Mary,  367. 

41 


Milway,  Mrs.  Mary,  306. 
Vline  discovered,  143. 
Mineral  spring  garden,  373. 
Mines,  398. 
Mink,  Mrs.  David,  326. 

Stephen  G.,  303. 

William,  349,  361. 
Mitchell,  Edward,  270. 

Mrs.  James  L.,  424. 

Mrs.  William,  261. 
Mix,  Stephen,  265. 

Stiles,  327,  340. 
Mixter,  Daniel  W.,  377. 
Mockery,  Mrs.  Edward,  331. 
Moffit,  Elizabeth,  378. 

Mrs.  John,  378. 
Mohawk  chiefs  in  Albany,  177. 

and  Hudson  rail  road,  256. 

mode  of  traveling  on,  220. 

valley,  173. 

steam  propeller,  370. 
Mohawks,  172,  174. 
Mohiccans,  172. 
Money  for  defence,  183,  179. 

granted  by  assembly,  141. 
Monroe,  George,  407. 
Monteath,  George,  242,  378. 

George  H.,  228. 

William  W.,  340. 
Montgomery,  Mrs.  E.,,408. 

Jesse  K.,  307. 

hall,  304,  350,  358. 
Moody,  Adonijah,  died,  339. 

Le  Roy  D.  L.,  329. 

Lymau  V.,  278. 
Moor,*  Mary  H  ,  359. 
Moore,  Andrew,  313,  314,  327. 

D.  D.  T.,  422. 

Jacob,  372. 

Levi,  429. 

Mrs.  L.,  337. 
Moreau,  M.,  211. 
Morgan,  John,  341. 

VJ.  B.,  271. 

Hannah  R.,  243. 

Thomas,  317. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  284. 

William,  245. 

Mrs.  William,  254. 
Morgtn,  capacity  of,  170. 
Morrell,  Mrs.  James,  369. 
Morris,  Capt.  L.  N.,  376. 


478 


Index. 


Morris,  Walter  R.,  279. 

W.  R.,  &  Co.,  274. 
Morrison,  Jane  Ann,  309. 
Morrow,  Mrs.  Robert,  303. 
Morse,  Mrs.  George,  366. 

Mrs.  Henry,  289. 
Mortality,  332. 

of  October,  1846,  366. 

in  1845,  364. 
Mortara  meeting,  431. 
Morton  street  excavated,  333. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  411. 
Moquas  country,  16. 

treaty,  10. 

Mortimer,  Mrs.  J.,  259. 
Mott,  Daniel,  died,  266. 

Joseph  B.,  372. 
Moy,  Along,  249. 
Muir,  William,  279. 
Murders  by  Indians,  182. 
Murdock,  Kben,  242. 
Murphy,  Patrick,  252. 

Mrs.  P.,  331. 

Peter,  415. 

Murray,  Mrs.  James,  429. 
Musical  instruments,  399. 
Museum,  fire  in,  2h9. 

founder  of,  357. 

Mutual  Insurance  company,  258. 
Myndertse,  Frederick,  50. 

J.  F.t  114. 

Marta,  143,  152.1 
Myron,  Elizabeth,  409. 
Names  of  city,  early,  186. 
Nash,  Mrs.  George,  409. 

Philip,  342. 

National  prejudices,  219. 
Native  American  ticket,  350,  362. 
Navigation,  mode  of  improving, 
222. 

of  river,  187. 

Negro  regulations,  41,  68,  77,  97, 
141. 

wages,  95,  104. 
Nellegar,  John  B.,  423. 

Mrs.  John,  271. 

Hannah,  342.  [303. 

Nelson,  Arnold,  242,  279,  281,  292, 
Nessle,  William,  333,  341,  370. 
Netterville,  E.  W.,  409. 

John  T.,  407. 

Mrs.  J.  W.,  260. 


New  Amsterdam,  172. 

first  fort,  172. 
New  City,  221. 
New  England  tavern,  253. 
New,  Thomas,  353. 
Newland,  John,  228. 
Newcornb,  David,  370. 

Mrs.  D..  322. 
Newman,  Charles,  153. 

Henry,  232,  328. 
News,  early,  264,  268. 

by  rail"  road,  346. 
Newspapers,  1840,  400. 
Newton,  Mrs.  Dier,  417. 

Isaac,  333,  373,  430. 

Mrs.  John,  295. 

J.  M.,  314. 

Mrs.  J.  M.,  355. 

William,  292. 
New  York  American,  310. 

Daily  Advertiser,  400. 

Express,  264. 

regiment,  406. 

relief  for,  251. 

State  bank,  294,  302. 

winter  route  to,  337.  [430. 

New  World,  steam  boat,  409,  416, 
Nicholls,  Mr.,  311. 
Nichols,  Henry,  374. 
Nicholson,  Mrs.  John,  431. 
Night  watch,  135. 
Nimrod,  steam  boat,  229. 
Noble,  L.  P.,  273. 
Normal  school  (see  State  Normal 

school). 

Normanskill,  164,  165,  173,  185. 
Northrop,  William  M.,  376. 
Norton,  Henry,  359. 

Lambert,  246,  447. 

John  T.,  240,  373. 

P.,  230. 

Samuel,  334. 

Mrs.  Samuel,  315. 

street,  so  named,  244. 

Titus,  417. 
North,  Asahel,  297. 

America,  steam  boat,  246,  430. 

Dutch  church,   236,  292,  324, 
bell,  284.  [419. 

remodeled,  422. 

Market  street,  name  changed, 
306. 


Index. 


479 


North  Market  street,  paving  of,  259.  Orphan  asylum  benefit,  331. 
Pearl  street,  239.  incorporated,  243. 

River  steam  boat  engine  (pro-  Orr  &  Cunningham,  433. 
bably  some  mistake  in  this|        David,  died,  284. 

otat*ii-ni_.nM     9d  3 


statement), 
Notes  from  newspapers,  225. 
Nott,  B-njamin,  317. 

Dr.  E.,  208. 

Joel  B.,  257. 
Nott's  stoves,  232. 
Norwich,  steam  boat,  359. 
Novelty,  steain'boat,  232,  307. 
Noyes,  Peleg,  235. 
Nugent,  Mrs.  Jane,  339. 
Nurseries  and  florists,  400. 
Nutt,  Mrs.  E.,  died,  345. 
O'Callaghan,  Dr.  E.  B.,  296. 
O'Connor,  John,  424. 
O'Domioll,  William,  424. 
O'Neil,  John,  360. 
Oakey,  Abraham,  died,  285. 
Oaths  of  allegiance,  170. 
Oats,  399. 


Hugh,  153. 

Robert,  died,  324. 
lOsborn,  J.,  303. 

John,  329. 

Mrs.  Jeremiah,  298. 

William  L.,  327,  333. 
lOsborne,  Mrs.  W.  F.,  353. 
Ostagrago  rock,  76. 
Ostensorium  stolen,  302. 
Ostrander,  Johannis,  16,  17,  28,  59. 

John  J.,  158. 

Johannis  V.,  38. 

P.  H.,  242. 

William,  287. 

JOuderkerk.  JohannLs,  31, 32, 55,87. 
iOutscouts,  125. 
iOutwin,  John,  died,  359. 
Overslaugh,  222. 
i  Owens,  Mrs.  Matthew,  366. 
Packard,  Mrs.  B.  D.,  308. 

Isaac,  369. 

Robert,  died,  305,  365. 
Packer,  Prentice  &  Co.,  258,  276. 


Odeon,  376. 

Ohnowalagantle(Schenectady),l73. 

Oil  for  city,  243. 

Olcott,  Mrs.  Theodore,  266. 

Thomas  W.,  294,  302,  310,  319,  Paddock,  Lawrence,  348. 

390.  Stephen,  240,  242,  305. 

Oldest  town  in  U.  S.,  187. 
Oley,  Christopher,  325. 

Mrs.  C.,  380. 
Oliver  Elsworth,  steam  boat,  337. 


William  H.,  374. 
Paige,  John  Keyes,  236,  314,  343, 

350,  361,  370. 
Paine,  Robert  P.,  278. 

John,  jr.,  13.  Paintings,  exhibition  of,  407,  411. 

Mrs.  K  G.,  359.  [314.  Pamerton,  Jeremiah,  49. 

Olmsted,  Charles  S.,  242,  269,  279,  Paper  money,  152. 
Mrs.  C.  S.,  330.  statistics,  399. 


Capt.  D.,  died,  329. 

Mrs.  David,  329. 

(i.-orgeG.,  369. 
Omnibus,  experiment,  261. 
Onderdonk,  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop,  301. 
Oothout,  Hendrick,  14,  167. 

J;ui,  9. 

Orange  street  fire,  277. 
Orchard  produce,  400. 

street,  232. 
Ordinances,  book  of,  41. 

publication  of,  41. 
Ore  found,  143. 
Oregon,  steam  boat,  366. 
Organ,  St.  Peter's,  262. 


'Park  street,  name  changed,  306. 
Parke,  Mary,  373. 
Parker,  Amasa  J.,  379. 

Mrs.  D.  N.,  275. 

Elizabeth,  424. 

Mrs.  E.,  270. 

James,  227. 

Mrs.  James,  328. 

John,  364. 

Mary  M.,  373. 

PhilipS.,  410. 
Parks,  Capt.  Samuel,  369. 
Parmelee.  Wm.,  270,  310,  370,  378. 

Mrs.  William,  3-24. 
Parr,  Richard,  370,  378. 


480 


Index. 


Parsons,  John  D.,  433. 

L.  Sprague,  330,  352. 

Silas  C.,  424. 

S.  H.  H.,  341,  350,  362,  433. 
Pasture,  38. 

fence,  91. 

grade  discussed,  240. 

graded,  228. 

on  the  hill,  94. 

street  in,  158. 

Patents  in  mayor's  hands,  102. 
Patroon  street,  228. 
Patroon's  creek,  309. 
Patterson,  Mrs.  Daniel,  372. 

Mrs.  George,  323. 

Mrs.  John,  364. 

Josiah,  242. 

Thomas,  365. 
Paul,  Mrs.  Nancy,  died,  359. 

Rev.  N.,  died,  295. 
Paulus  hook,  404. 
Paupers,  272,  291. 

(see  almshouse). 
Paving  and  draining,  225. 

law,  34,  61. 

Streets,  22,  23,  64,  77,  79,  280. 
Pay  of  aldermen  for  treaty  with 

Indians,  10. 
Pay  den,  Margaret,  411. 
Payn,  Samuel,  260. 

Mrs.  Samuel,  359. 

tavern,  289. 
Peace,  treaty  of,  184. 
Pearl  st.  Baptist  church,  231,  232. 
house,  290. 
lot,  78. 
in  18CO,  192. 

Pearson,  Rev.  Thomas  W.,  284. 
Pease,  E.  H.,  245,  259. 

James  H.,  370. 
Peck,  Mrs.  Allen  P.,  326. 

AlidaD.,  326. 

Daniel,  300,  315. 

Hannah,  died,  284. 

Mrs.  James  H.,  326. 

Capt.  W.  H.,374. 
Peckham,  R.  W.,  237,  252,269,  314, 

328. 

Peebles,  Mrs.  John,  273. 
Pemberton,  Henry  S.,  421. 

house,  410. 

Jeremiah,  13,  14,  142,  143. 


Pemberton,  John,  314. 

Sarah,  275. 
Penitentiary,  231,  350,  358. 

walls  fell,  367. 
Penny  paper,  first,  247. 
People's  line,  229,  366,  430. 
Pepoon,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  334. 
Pepper,  Isaac,  325. 
Perceval,  Thomas,  331. 
Perriaguas  in  1838,  276. 
Perry,  Eli,  303,  314,  350,  362,  412. 

Erastus,  245,  415. 

Hiram,  242,  279,  290,  292. 

Oliver  H.,  375. 
Peters,  Jesse,  343. 

Will,  dines  governor,  115. 
Peterson,  Mrs.  Susan,  419. 
Pettinger,  Mary,  died,  307. 
Phelps,  Caroline  M.,  died,  259. 

Mrs.  Catharine,  315. 

Catharine,  369. 

Homer  R.,  349,  351,  361. 

Philip,  246,  273,  314. 

Philip,  jr.,  352. 
Philadelphia  barges,  276. 

state  fencibles,  282. 
Phileo,  Lyman,  269,  376. 
Phillips,  John,  jr.,  272. 

Levi,  251. 

Mrs.  Washington,  325. 
Phillipse,  A.  D.,  224. 
Phrenology,  Combe's  lectures,  300. 
Physician,  salary  of,  266. 
Pier,  cut  proposed,  256. 

damaged  by  ice,  378. 

petition  to  widen,  271. 
Pierce,  P.  W.,  228. 

Horace,  327. 

Lemuel,  323. 
Pierson,  Calvin,  317. 
Pike,  Lydia  A.,  367. 

Mrs.  Nicholas,  366. 

Mrs.  George,  366. 
Pincott,  Daniel,  334. 
Pitkin,  Timothy,  jr.,  277. 

William  H.,  349. 
Pitman,  Mrs.  R.  H.,  336. 
Plain,  65,  91,  100,  102. 

lot  No.  4  sold,  19,  21. 
Platt,  Ananias,  died,  326. 

Mrs.  Josiah,  353. 
Plum,  Allen,  298. 


Index. 


481 


Pohlman,  Charles,  225,  272,  339. 
Daniel,  343. 
Mrs.  Daniel,  368. 
Rev.  H.  N.,  344. 
Pollard,  Mrs.  William  H.,  366. 
Police  expenses,  430. 
justice,  333. 
office  removed,  365. 
Pollock.  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  323. 
Pompey,  slave,  sold,  167. 
Pool,  Mrs.  Thatcher,  358. 
Poor,  expenses  of,  225. 
exhibition  for,  411. 
tax,  291. 
Population,  365,  375. 

in  1688,  175  ;  in  1800,  190. 
of  county  in  1825,  185. 
of  city  in  1825,  186. 
in  J829,  186. 
in  1830,  248. 
1835,  248,  309. 
1840,  309,  398. 

Porter,  Frederick,  242.      [aged  89. 
Giles  W.,  died  March  11, 1859, 
James,  died,  289. 
Mrs.  J.  K.,  429. 
William,  died,  322. 
Post  office  removed,  301. 
Potatoes,  399. 
Potter,  Rev.  Horatio,  236,  363. 

Mrs.  Horatio,  379. 
Potteries,  399. 

Potters'  field  enclosure,  259. 
Pound,  87. 
Powder,  house  explosion,  25. 

sale  of,  137,  171. 
Powel,  Thomas,  122. 
Powell,  C.  F.,  &  Co.,  247. 
Power,  Tyrone,  391. 
Powers,  Mrs.  Daniel,  229. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth,  380. 
Pratt,  Mrs.  Elsie,  331. 
Elisha  N.,  235,  265. 
Ralph,  292,  294. 
Ralph,  &  Co.,  271. 
Prentice,  Ezra  P.,  300,  310,  312. 
Presbyterian  church  yard,  154. 

bell-ringer,  259. 
Preston,  Homer,  257. 
H.  W.,  290. 
John,  228. 
Price,  John,  118,  159. 


Price,  Rev.  J.  II.,  234,  236. 
Primitive  methodist  church,  240. 
Printing  offices,  1840,  400. 
Prior,  Mrs.  Thomas,  407. 
Prisoners,  relief  for,  42,  68. 
taken  in  Albany,  183. 
Proctor,  William,  died,  339. 
Produce,  1834,  386,  387. 
Provisions,  385,  386. 
Pruyn,  Casparus  F.,  369. 
Mrs.  C.  F.,  3 11,  325. 
Cornelia,  352. 
David,  277,  337. 
Francis,  308. 
Francis  C.,  270. 
Francis,  jr.,  18,  120. 
Jacob,  81. 
Jacob  S.,  260. 
Johamiis,  115. 
Johannis,jr.,  60,  69,  133. 
Johannis  S  ,  138. 
Mrs.  John  S.,  297. 
John  T.,  412. 
J.  V.  L.,  233,  264,  308,  311,  319, 

343,  345. 
R.  H,,  281,  293,  305,  317,  370, 

378. 

Samuel,  9,  J3,  14,  17,  151. 
Samuel,  jr.,  137. 
Colonel  S.,  314,  327. 
Mrs.  S.,  263. 
William  G..  240. 
Wilson  &  Vosburg,  328. 
Public  buildings,  391. 
in  1825,  186. 

schools  (see  district  schools), 
stocks,  106. 
wharves,  165. 
Puddy,  James,  263. 
Pumps  in  State  street,  363. 
Punch,  corporation  bill,  161. 
Purcell,  James,  319. 
Putnam,  J.  A.,  *69,  314. 
Mrs.  John  S.,  306. 
Rufus,  365. 
Pve  taveru  robbery,  345. 
Quackenboss,  A.  1.,  265. 
Mrs.  A.  I.,  286. 
Adriaan,  jr.,  34. 
Johanuis,  34,  40,  62,  86,  87,  89. 
Johannis  W.,  91,  115. 
Peter,  40,  58. 


482 


Index. 


Quackenbush,  Catalina,  323. 

Henry,  410. 

Isaac  A.,  315. 

J.  N.,  242,  254,  373. 

Dr.  J.  P.,  412. 

N.  N.,  242,  279,  292,  303. 

Mrs.  N.,  353. 

Ten  Eyck,  359. 
Quay  street,  opening  of,  230. 
Quick  trip  to  New  York,  310. 
Quidley,  Daniel,  245. 
Quit  rent  of  city  paid,  94. 
Radcliff,  D.  V.  N.,  314,  340,  361. 
Radliff,  Henry,  160. 

Jacobus,  18,27,  43,  82,  141. 

(see  Redliff). 

James,  160. 

Johannis,  14,  18,  43. 

(see  Ridliff). 

Ragel,  14,  18. 
Radley,  Lambert,  34. 
Rail  road  fare  to  New  York,  377. 
loan,  346. 
speed,  296. 
Rain  storm,  421,  425. 
Ram,  John,  153. 
Ramsey,  David  D.,  350,  362. 
Randall,  Jane  A.,  326. 
Ran  del,  Mrs.  John,  261. 
Random  recollections,  189. 
Rankin,  Mrs.  William,  342. 
Rasey,  Ammon,  258. 
Rathbone,  Jared  L.,  287,  300,  302, 
303,  363. 

Joel,  340. 

S.,  269. 

Rathbun,  Joshua,  433,  438. 
Ravines,  Ancient,  167. 
Rawdon,  Clark  &  Co.,  250. 
Rawson,  Rev.  James,  322. 
Raymond,  Mrs.  B.  C.,  380, 

Charles  S.,  361. 
Real  estate,  35,  241. 
Records,  city,  9. 

scraps  from  Dutch,  170. 
Recorder,  122,  140. 
Rector,  Henry,  327,  440. 

Thomas,  278,  294,  407. 
Redecar,  Hannah,  375. 
Redliff,  Lambert,  31,  110,  113. 
Reformed  presbyter'n  church,  235, 
236. 


Reese,  David  M.,  280,  287. 
Reese,  John  E.,  319. 
Reed,  Rev.  Sylvanus,  433. 
Reid,  Mrs.  Alexander,  415. 
Regan,  James,  died,  315. 
Reise,  Martin,  160. 
Relyea,  Mrs.  Simon,  381. 

&  Wright,  375. 
Reminiscences  of  1788,  219. 
Renaud,  Mrs.  L.  G.,  355. 
Rensselaer,  Col.  Jeremiah,  84. 
Rent,  rate  of,  103. 
Rents  of  city  lands  annulled  by 

war,  17,  27,  32,  132. 
Repeal  meeting,  352. 
Representative  population,  375. 
Reston,  John,  378. 
Reuse  berg,  47. 
Revolutionary  soldiers,  228. 
Reynolds,  Jane,  346. 

John  H.,  429. 

Marcus  T.,  294,  307,  310,  319, 

374. 

Rhatigan,  Mrs.  Richard,  409. 
Rhode  Island,  steam  boat,  262. 
Rhodes,  Richard,  233. 
Rice,  Mrs.  J.  T.,  420. 

Mrs.  Nahum,  325. 

William  &  Co.,  240. 
Richards,  William,  died,  343. 
Richardson,  Mrs.  A.,  350. 

Mrs.  John,  372. 

John  R.,  365. 

Mrs.  J.  W  ,407. 
Riding  with  sledges,  43. 

unruly,  62. 
Ridlitf,  Jacobus,  31. 
Riggs,  George  B.,  378. 
Rip  Van  Winkle,  steam  boat,  364, 
Rising,  Austin,  337. 

sun  tavei-n,  241,  258. 
Risk,  Sarah,  254. 

River  closed, 250, 265,  300,  324,  336, 
346,  358,  368,  401,431. 

improvement,  city  appropria- 
tion for,  229,  247,  272. 

open,  237,  257,  267,  275,  277, 
290,  301,  310,313,  323,  325, 
326,  341,  349,  359,  369,  375, 
377,  401,  409. 
Rivers  and  streams,  185. 
jRoad  over  Foxes  creek,  74. 


Index. 


483 


Road,  petition  for  new,  63. 
Roads,  396. 

repair  of,  68,  79. 
Roark,  Mary,  409. 
Robert  L.  Stephens,  steam  boat, 

243,  246. 
Roberts,  Col.,  126,  127. 

E.  E.  A.,  427. 

Francis  G.,  252. 
Robinson,  A.  D.,  352. 

B.,  269. 

James,  242,  303. 

James  W.,  346. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  372. 

Mrs.  J.  C..  415. 

&  Vanderbilt,  343. 

Mrs.  W.,271. 

Thomas,  296. 
Robison,  John,  153,  156. 

Johnny,  214. 

Rochester,  steam  boat,  296. 
Rockenstyne,  Mrs.  John,  289. 
Rockwell,  Mrs.  J.  W.,  266. 
Rodeau,  Ann,  423. 
Roga  creek,  165. 
Rodgers,  Mrs.  James,  284. 

Mrs.  Hannah,  358. 
Rogers,  H.  G.  0.,  327. 

died,  353. 

James,  425. 

William,  jr.,  62. 
Roggen,  Peter,  324. 
Romaiue,  Domine,  207. 
Romeyn,  Rev.  Dr.,  207,  408. 
Rooney,  P.  B.,  361,  370. 
Root,  Arthur  H.,  (70. 

Lyman,  324. 

Mrs.  Lyman,  367. 
Rope  walks,  3  9. 
Rose,  James  R.,  329,  362. 
Rosoboom,  Ahasu.,  28, 38, 116, 121. 

Dirck  A.,  136. 

Gerrit,  136. 

Gen-it,  jr.,  41. 

Gysbert,  36. 

If.  M.,62,  118,  120. 

Johannis,  17,  89. 

John,  jr.,  9,  10,  13,  14,72,81, 
92,  96,  98,  127. 

John,  100,  144. 

Joharmis  G.,  86,  121. 

Johll  H.,  139. 


Roseboom,  J.  M.,  111. 

Robert,  41. 
Rosekranse,  Abraham,  368. 

Abram.  380. 

Mrs.  Abraham,  3G3. 

Mrs.  Peter,  337. 

Richard,  died,  316. 
Roser,  Richard,  jr.,  380. 
Rosie  (Jan),  John,  14,  82. 
Ross,  Mrs.  Anna,  429. 

Evelina,  265. 
Rossiter,  Nathaniel,  240. 

W.  S.,  255. 
Roth,  Volkert,  262. 
Rotten  row,  fire  in,  422. 
Round  gangs,  122. 
Row  at  the  theatre,  395. 
Rowe.  Sanford,  273. 
Rubbish,  ordinance  against,  90. 
Ruby,  John  C.,  407. 
Rum,  price  of,  98. 
tRumney,  Robert,  50. 
Rumsey,  John,  359. 
Rural  cemetery  consecrated,  355. 
Russell,  Elihu,  279. 

Elisha,  242. 

Henry,  292,  303. 

Joseph,  died,  286. 

John,  380. 

Joseph,  240,  263,  died,  271. 

Mrs.  Jubal  T.,  343. 

Matthew  A.,  417. 

Mrs.  Mary,  died,  301. 

R.  C.,  314. 

Thomas,  died,  368. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  377. 

T.  &  J.,  368. 

Mrs.  William,  286. 
Rust,  Joseph  A.,  341. 
Ruttenkill,  57,  167. 

origin  of  name,  168. 

bridge,  129. 
Ruyten  kill  (see  Rutten  kill). 
Ryckman,  Albert,  49,  89,  319. 

G.  W.,  242,  264. 

Harrnamis,  11. 

Lydia,  262. 

Margarette,  306. 

Petrus,  11,  13,  14,  17. 

Tobyas,  9,  13^  14,  17,  21,  36, 
61,  120,  133. 

Wilhelmus,  307. 


484 


Index. 


Ryder,  Mrs.  Aaron,  424. 

Rye,  399. 

Sabbath  ordinance,  29,  77,  97,  141 . 

school  anniversary,  232,  273. 
Sacred  music  association,  291. 
Saddleries,  399. 
Safford,  Nathaniel,  361. 
Sager  (see  Seger). 

Johannis,  74,  104. 
Salaries  of  city  officers,  366. 

in  1836,  266. 
Salisbury,  William,  367. 
Salt,  385,  386. 
Salter,  John  S.,  266. 
Sand  street  fire,  420. 
Sanders,  Barent,  99. 

Robert,  92,  103,  140. 
Sanderson,  Levi,  371. 
Sandford,  Giles,  269,  280,  292. 

Mrs.  Giles,  331. 

Mahala,  268. 

Santvoort,  Cornelius,  138. 
Saratoga,  defences  at,  182. 
Saraghtoge,  94. 

patent,  102. 

Sargent,  Parker,  242,  269,  280, 327. 
Sarties  killetje,  43. 
Satires,  197. 
Satterlee,  E.  R.,  242,  269,  292,  314, 

327,  378. 

V.  VV.  R.,  271. 
Saunders,  Nancy,  324. 
Savage,  Mrs.  John.  2t8. 
Saw  logs,  105. 

mill  at  Schaghticoke,  105. 
petition  to  build  a,  31. 
Saxby,  Evert,  86,  87. 
Sayles,  Mrs.  C.,  424. 

Mrs.  George  M.,  231. 

Mrs.  G.  M.,  263. 
Sayre,  Daniel,  412. 
Scalps,  rewards  for,  182. 
Schaats,  Rev.  Gideon,  171. 
Schaahkook,  lot  sold  at,  18. 
rents  at,  21. 

Schaghticoke',  31,  43,  48,  51,66,  67, 
69,  62,  71,  74,  77,  82,83,  86, 
87,  89,  105,  106,  108,  109. 

bounds  run,  43, 

amount  paid  for,  42. 
quit  rent,  94. 
Schaughnaughtada,  173,  188. 


Schenectady,  397. 

block  houses,  184. 

expedition  against,   175,   176, 
178. 

highway,  36. 

party  waylaid,  184. 

rail  road,   256,   289,  322,  346, 
373.  354,  358. 
cnange  of  terminus,  319. 

turnpike,  243,  320. 

(see  fcjkenektedea. ) 
Schermerhoorn's  pasture,  39. 
Scherp,  Coenradt,  153. 

Jurie,  82. 

Schitfer,  John  C.,  290. 
Schneller,  Rev.  Dr.,  379. 
Scho I:  arie  precinct,  181. 
Schoolcraft,  Henry  R.,  162. 

John  L.,  352. 
School  house  commissioners,  271. 
Schools,  discussion  respecting,  256. 

English,  219. 

expenses  of,  225. 

east  of  Perry  street,  230. 

infant,  230. 
Schoofl maker,  Jacob,  378. 

J.  S.,  242. 
Schooners,  357. 

in  1838,  275,  287. 

in  1840,  309. 
Schuyler,  colonel,  126,  167,  182. 

superseded,  181. 

Cornelia,  109. 

Cortland,  422. 

David  A.,  69. 

general,  203,  413. 

Harmanus,  150. 

Jacobus,  82. 

John,  jr.,  65,  85,89,  93. 

Mrs.  L.  L.,  308. 

major,  177,  178,  179,  180. 

Myndert,  14. 

Nicholas,  16,  43,  44,  94. 

Peter,  81. 

colonel  Peter,  223. 

Peter  P.,  72. 

colonel  Philip,  petition  to,  84. 
108. 

S.,231. 

captain  Samuel,  329. 

Stephen  P.,  369. 
Scott,  Mrs.  James,  241, 


Index. 


485 


Scott,  Uri,  284. 

William  B.,  314,  327,  340,  362. 

378. 
Scovel,  Mrs.  Charles,  379. 

Ilcxckiah,  23f>. 

Scoville,  Nelson  W.,  died,  307. 
Scows,  276,  287,  357. 
Scudder,  Dr.  John,  336. 
Sculpture,  exhibition  of,  407,  411. 
Seal  city,  93,  96,  103,  133,  145,  149. 
of  3d  Dutch  church,  442. 
Seaman,  Mrs.  Isaac,  291. 
Seaver,  Mrs.  H.  H  ,  322. 
Second  Dutch  church,  243,  357. 

Dutch  church  bell,  226.     ' 

methodist  prot.  church,  284. 

presbyterian  church  bell,  363. 
repaired,  378. 

sabbath  school,  345. 
Sedgwick,  Mr.,  217. 
Seger,  Johannis,  14,  18,  20,  26,  31, 
52,  55,  67,  59,  70,73,  88,91, 
93,  94,97,  100,  111,  116,  118, 
119,   120,  121,  127,  129,  131, 
136,  138,  140,  144,  161,  152. 

Roelof,  139. 

Thomas,  161. 
Selkirk,  Mrs.  F.  N.,  326. 

Mrs.  James,  351. 

John,  305. 

Server,  Robert,  433,  438. 
Servis.;,  Alderman,  428. 
Seward,  W.  H.,  285. 
Seymour,  Edwin  A.,  289. 

Norman,  278. 

Timothy,  279. 

William,   242,   248,   250,   269, 

271,  272,  281. 
Shallow,  Thomas,  294. 
Shankland,  P.V.,  247, 261, 273, 277. 
Sharpe,  Jacobus,  130. 
Sharp,  J.  H.,  428. 
Sharts,  Charles,  411. 

John,  269,  279,  314. 
Shaw,  D.  D.,  269,  327. 

Mrs.  J   F.,259. 

Mrs.  John,  277. 

Jonathan,  342. 

Milo,  292. 

Mrs.  N.  B.,  350. 

Mrs.  Robert,  375. 

Samuel,  247. 


Shaw,  William  H.,  231. 

William,  44. 
Shaw's  rope,  walk  burnt,  264. 
Sheldon,  Mrs.  Alexander,  365. 

Mary  Ann,  431. 
Shell,  Mrs.  E.  331. 
Shelley,  Mrs.  Samuel,  334. 
Shear,  Christian  H.,  died,  1859. 
Shelton,  Dr.  Henjamin,  301. 
'Shepherd,  John,  153. 

murderer  of,  294. 

Phoebe,  died,  265. 

Robert,  242,  278. 
Sherman,  Mrs.  Abel,  277. 

Rev.  C.,  236. 

Cynthia  R.,  270. 

Watts,  226,  350,  362. 

Mrs.  Watts,  284. 
Sheriff,  29,  42,  61,  86,  90,  131,  138, 
141,  374. 

1834,  237. 
Sheriff's  commission,  17. 

posse,  298,  299. 
Sherwood,  Mrs.  Richard.  326. 

William,  332. 

Shevlin,  Dennis,  409. 
Shields,  Mrs.  Adam.  357. 

Daniel,  246. 

Shiffer,  Mrs.  Mary  D.,  366. 
Shingles,  385,  386. 
Shipboy,  Thomas,  320. 
Ship  canal,  409. 
Shoemaker,  Magdalene,  331. 
Siamese  Twins,  244. 
Sickles,  Mrs.  Cooper,  428. 

Daniel,  232. 

Mrs.  James,  302. 

Thomas,  163. 
Simpson,  John,  313,  327. 

Dr.  S.  W.,421. 
Sitterly,  Isaac,  369. 
Sixbury,  Evert,  95,  110,  113,  128. 
Skenektedea,  elements  of  word, 

163,  280,  292,  294,  327. 
Slack,  Granville,  died,  305,  417. 
Slave  C?esar,  156. 

regulations,  97. 
Slaves  sold,  166,  157. 

how  early  owned,  170. 
Slawson,  Mrs.  R.  L.,  348. 

Mrs.  W.  F.,  380. 
Slingerland,  D.  B.  260. 


486 


Index. 


Slingerland,  Mrs.  II.,  419. 

Isaac,  jr.,  158. 

John  I.  374. 

W.  1.,  262. 

Teunis,  23. 
Sloops,  357. 

in  1838,  275,  287. 

capacity  of,  187. 

passengers  limited  in,  171. 
Small  pox  in  1663,  170. 
Smith,  Albert  A.,  332. 

Mrs.  Andrew,  407. 

Mrs.  Benjamin  F.,  373. 

Charles,  died,  328. 

Rev.  Charles,  236,  259,  348. 

Daniel,  327. 

Eliza  E.,  359. 

Mrs.  George,  407. 

Mrs.  Henry,  303. 

Israel,  245. 

J.  Stanley,  406. 

Jeremiah,  371. 

Mrs.  Jeremiah,  302. 

J.  jr.,  314. 

John  D.,  307. 

Legrand,  361. 

Margaret,  321. 

Mrs.  Mary,  died,  303. 

Melancton,  153. 

Mr.,  147. 

Nathaniel,  339. 

Mrs.  N.,  301. 

Peter,  407. 

Mrs.  Peter,  282. 

Philip,  429. 

Mrs.  Urania,  347. 

William,  233. 

William,  died,  306. 
Smyth,  Mrs.  Charles,  374. 

Charles  T.,  301. 
Smoking,  192,  193. 
Snell,  William,  died,  243. 
Snider's  creek,  83. 
Snobs,  197. 

Snow,  Mrs.  Ephraim,  308. 
Snow,  250,  322,  345,  349,  406,  429. 

early,  263. 

in  1836,  252. 
1841,  315. 

removed  from  streets,  343. 

storm.  339. 

18  inches,  237. 


Soap  and  candles,  399. 
Society,  old,  196. 
Soil  and  aspect,  185. 
Soldiers,  ill-behavior,  126. 
Sorel  devastated  by  Schuyler,  177. 
Soulden,  William  M.,  248. 
South  America,  steam  boat,  215, 
430. 

quick  trip,  351. 

baptist  church,  347. 

market,  316,  333. 

street,  number  of  passen- 
gers in  one  dav,  304. 

Pearl  street  widened*  326. 
Southmayd,  John,  231. 
Southwick,   Arthur  C.,   301,  303, 
317,  338,  368. 

Hannah,  347. 

Solomon,  205,  275,  294,  298. 

Solomon  W.,  245. 

Wilmarth,  343. 

Mrs.  Wilmarth,  347. 
Soup  house,  288,  291,  342. 
Spalford,  Mrs.  H.  G.,  301. 
Spanish  bells,  277,  283. 
Sparling,  George  G.,  431. 
Spears,    Timothy,    280,   292,   350, 

362,  378. 
Specie  payment  resumed,  279. 

scarce,  270. 

Spelman,  B.  R.,  305,  428. 
Spencer,  Ambrose,  205. 

Mrs.  Ambrose,  272. 

Hannah,  348. 

James  C.,  440. 

&  Co.,  John,  200. 

Mrs.  John,  376. 

John  C.,  435. 

Martin,  di^d,  337. 

William,  262,  369. 
Spirits,  385,  386. 
Spontaneous  combustion,  274. 
Spoor,  Johannis,  61,  72. 
Sprague,  Rev.  W.  B.,  228,  232,  236, 
246,  268,  322,  408. 

Mrs.  W.  B.,  273. 
Spring  near  fort,  109. 
Springer,  Mrs.  Michael,  429. 
Springsted,  Aaron,  337. 
Spouts  to  houses  cut  off,  196. 
St.  John's  church,  303,  379. 
St.  John's  stables  burnt,  284,  301. 


Index. 


487 


St.  Mary's  church,  259,  379. 
St.  Peter's,  bethel  meeting  at,  300. 
church  abandoned,  427. 
organ,  25*2. 

erected  1803,  demolished 
.  1869. 
St.  Paul'lchurch,  234, 259,  263, 265, 

290,  301,  334,413,  428. 
St.  Nicholas  society,  233,  264,  308. 

steam  boat,  369. 
Staats.  Abraham,  60. 
Abraham  P.,  323. 
BarentG.,died,  307. 
B.  P.,  231,  242,  258,  269,  292, 

303,  332,  342,  349. 
B.  P.,  mayor,  327,  329. 
Gerrit,  133. 
Isaac,  29,  137. 
Peter  B.,  247.  269,  279,  292. 
Wm.  J.,  died,  305. 
William  N.,  412. 
William  W.,  died,  303. 
Stack,  James,  421. 
Stafford,  Hallenbake,  2-10. 
J.  &  S.,  200. 
Mrs.  Joab,  338. 
Mrs.  Jonas,  274. 
Spencer,  died,  348. 
Stages  compete  with  rail  road,  320, 

321. 

ran  on  ice,  256. 
Standish,  Zechariah,  429. 
Stanton,  G.  W.,  286,  318,  349. 

W.  B.,  314,  327. 
Stamvix  hall,  354. 

opened,  351. 
rail  road  dinner,  324. 
Starkey,  Rev.  T.  A.,  428. 
Starks,  Argalus  W.,  327. 
Stark's  tavern  burnt,  284. 
State  dock,  191. 

hall  square,  244. 
house  square,  232. 
normal  school,  256,  349,  358. 
street  baptist  church,  353. 
market  abolished,  274, 

disturbed,  3 14. 
proposal  to  change   grade, 
pumps,  363.  [333. 

Staves,  386. 

Stead,  Mendw.ll,  died,  36G. 
William,  255,  314. 


Stead,  Mrs.  William,  £66. 
Stebbins,  Rev.  S.,  236. 
Steam  boat  fare,  71,  228. 
experiment,  269. 
great  freight,  415. 
landing,  316,  333. 
lines,  271. 
new  line,  229. 
number  of,  272. 
quickest  trip,  351. 
speed,  263.  264,  296. 
Steamboats,  301,357. 

in  1838,  275,  287. 

1840,  309. 

speed,  246,  247,  263. 
canal* boat,  421. 
organ,  417. 

propeller,  quick  trip,  370. 
Steele,  Mrs.  Abby,  270. 
Atword,  346. 
Mrs.  Eliphalet,  331. 
Lemuel,  271. 

Mrs.  Lemuel,  242,  314,  360. 
Lemuel  L.,  346. 
Mrs.  L.  L.,  226. 
Levi,  died,  293. 
Oliver,  281. 
Mrs.  Oliver,  290,  431. 
Roswell,  378. 
Samuel,  450. 
Tempo,  262. 
Stenhouse,  Jacob,  37. 
James,  11,  20,  61. 
Stephens,  Nathaniel,  153. 
Stevens,  George  M.,  344. 
Hannah,  371. 

Samuel,  281,  311,  319,  345. 
Mrs.  Samuel,  287. 
Susan,  died,  287. 
Stevenson,  James,  49,  50,  120,  122, 

150,  151,  152. 
James,  sheriff,  17. 
James,  236,  241,  257,  390. 
Nancy,  337. 

Stewart.  Alexander,  421. 
A.  L,  277. 
Gilbert,  200. 
Mrs.  Finlay,  339. 
John,  44. 
Mary,  274. 
Mrs.  S.  H.,  250. 
Robert,  299. 


488 


Index. 


Stewart,  William  H.,  364. 
Stillman,  William  L.,  321. 
Stilwell,  Capt.  S.,  250. 

Mrs.  William,  378. 
Stillwater  land  gold,  87. 
Stirling,  lord,  41?,  418. 
Stockadoes,  97,  98,  104,  107,  109, 
117,  126,  136,  137,  172. 

dimensions  of,  117. 

mode  of  building,  110. 

penalty  for  destroying,  113. 

price  of,  45,  47. 

how  to  be  set,  45,  46,  47. 
Stocks,  106. 
Stockton,  John,  381. 
Stone,  Daniel  D.,  339. 

John,  243. 

W.  L.,  died,  353. 

William  P.,  326. 
Stoney  island,  71. 
Stoops  in  1840,  309. 
Store  lane,  name  changed,  244. 
Storey,  Edward,  412. 
Storke,  Samuel,  66. 
Stores  in  1825,  186. 
Storrs,  Dwight,  537. 
Stottler,  Mrs.  John,  331. 
Strain,  Capt.,  299. 

David,  355. 

Maria,  326. 

William,  284. 
Strong,  Jesse,  169,  418. 
Strangers,  law  concerning,  61,  95. 

regulations  for,  134. 
Straw,  Mrs.  James  N.,  372. 
Street,  A.  B.,  350. 
Streets,  cleaning,  61,  77,  136. 

drains  to,  79. 

opened,  102. 

ordinance  to  pave,  22. 

paving  of,  64. 
Strickland,  Mrs.  0.,  324. 
Stringer,  Dr.,  192,  289. 
Strong,  Mrs.  Joseph,  238. 
Strong,  A.  M.,  282,  310. 

Michael,  267. 

W.  N.,330,  342. 
Stryker,  Mrs.  James  B  ,  379. 
Stuart  &  Parsons,  433. 
Sturgeon,  191. 

Stuyvesant's  account  of  early  set- 
tlement, 187. 


j  Sugar,  399. 

Sugden,  Elizabeth,  342. 
! Sullivan,  John,  42. 
Sumner,  W.  R.,  429. 
Sunday  police,  259. 

regulations,  41. 

school  celebration,  246. 
Superintendents  salary,  356. 
Supreme  court,  justices  of,  379. 
Surnames,  confusion  of,  170. 
Survey  of  boundaries,  141. 
Sutherland,  Judge,  248,  363. 
Swain,  Robert,  jr.,  288. 
Swallow,  steamboat,  262,  263,  264, 
290. 

wrecked,  361. 
Swan,  Samuel,  363. 

street  cemetery,  352. 

Meth.  Ep.  church,  424. 
Swart,  Rev.  I.,  296. 
Swarte  creek,  165. 
Swayzey,  Samuel,  360. 
Swedes  settle  Kinderkook,  181. 
Sweep,  deed  of  a  negro,  156. 
Sweet,  Nelson,  died,  306. 
Sweg,  garrison,  150. 
Switts,  Hester,  137. 
Swits,  Isaak,  140,  143. 
Sykes  Asaph,  261. 
Syms,  captain,  179. 
Synagogue,  first,  31 5,  316. 
Taaffe,  John  J.,  407. 
Taber,  Azor,  321,  419. 

Mrs.  Azor,  234,  305. 
Tahopatatea,    Iroquois    name    for 

Hudson  river,  163. 
Talbot,  Robert,  340. 
Tallman,  Britton  B.,  269,  273. 
Talmadge,  George,  406. 
Tamhenick's  creek, 

(see  Tomhanick). 
;  Tanneries,  number  of,  398. 
Tan  pitts,  76. 
Tar  barrels,  230. 
Tavern  keepers,  29. 

licences,  41,  62,  96. 
'Tawasentha,  165,  166. 
Taxes,  275,  297. 

in  1835,  250. 

in  1836-9,  291. 

in  1845,  367. 

in  1847,  375. 


Index. 


489 


Tayler,  John,  205,  367. 
Taylor,  James,  450. 

John,  281,  319. 

Mrs.  John,  339. 

Mrs.  Phoebe,  226. 
Taylor's  brewery  clock,  422. 
Teall,  E.  M.,  262,  340,  349. 

Oliver,  died,  333. 
Teeling,  William,  232. 
Telegraph  steam  boat,  325. 


Ten  Eyck,  Jacob  H.,  89,  92,  96, 
121,  127. 

Henry,  159. 

Jacob  H.,  241,  361. 

John  H.,  100,  111,  118. 

Tobias,  135,  136. 

Visscher,  292, 294, 303, 321 ,340. 
Terrell,  H.,  364. 
Test  signed,  28. 
Teunisse,  Egbert,  102. 


Temperance  celebration,  317,  330,  Teymesse,  Bastien,  129. 

364.  I  Thatcher,  George  W.,  376. 

House  razed,  350.  Thayer,  William,  120. 


Society  Youth's,  362. 
Temperature,   237,   251,   281, •  326, 
3S6,  337,  347,  406,  409,  421, 
431. 

high   281,  282. 

in  winter,  325. 
Tempest,  42 1,425. 
Temple,  R.  E.,  327,  340,  361. 
Tenant,  Mrs.  S.  M.,  246. 
Tenantry  dispersed  by  war,  132. 
Ten  Broek,  age  of  the  name,  171. 

Cornel  is,  86. 

Cornelius,  264,  279,  292,  301, 


Cornelius,  235. 

Ezra,  died,  272. 

Theatre,  234,  235,  241,  393 

new,  376. 

proposed,  290. 

reopened,  229. 

row,  393. 
Thies,  E..  333. 
Third  Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  church,236, 

252,  268,  302,321,440. 

presbyterian  church,  277,  283, 
349   353,  367. 


303,  308,  314,  327. 
Dirk,  9,  80,  128,  142. 
Dirck  I.,  59. 
Edgar  B.,  320. 
general,  199,  419. 
Henry,  96. 
Johannis,  72,  74,  79,  81,  86,92, 

96,  100,  143. 
Street,  232. 

burial  ground,  351. 
Ten  Eyck,  Anthony,  85. 

Barent,  103,  121,  127,  130. 

Barent  H.,  160. 

Conradt  A.,  233,  275,  281,  292 

Conradt,  116,  127,  131. 

Conraet,  168. 

Jacob,  41,  60,  65,  61, 69,  73, 98,' 


Thomas,  Mrs.  Ann,  310. 

Benjamin,   279,  292,  314,  327, 

Mrs.  Edwin,  311.  [361. 

Hannah,  died,  342. 

Mrs.  John,  342. 

Mrs.  Richard,  376. 

William,  263. 

Wm.  J.,  428. 
Thomas's  cooperage,  272. 
Thompson,  Elizabeth,  371. 

James,  160. 

John,  269,  356. 

Margaret,  363. 

Mrs.  Robert,  300. 

William,  jr.,  241. 
Thorburn,  William,  269,  279. 
Thorn,  Stephen,  277. 

S.  T.  269,  279,  292. 


100,  102,  108,  109,  111,139,1        Mrs.  Wiliiam,  355. 
141,  143,  147,  151,  152.  (Thorp,  William,  381. 

Jacob  C.,  13,  28,  30,  111,  114,  Thorpe,  Aaron,  died,  317. 
116,  118,  120,  121,  127,  129,  Tibbets,  Benjamin,  236. 


130,  133. 
Jacob  C. ,  appointed  major,  131. 
Getty  294. 
Mrs.  Harmanus,  229. 
Hendrik,  60,  79. 


Tiergaea  creek,  165. 
Tienenderoge,  70,   73,   74,  76,  79, 

115,  119. 
creek,  16. 

(see  Jenonderogo). 


[Annals,  x.] 


42 


490 


Index. 


Tienenderogue,  deed  of,  62,  54. 

land,  price  of,  16. 
Tiffany,  Augustus  J.,  412. 
Tillman,  Richard,  278. 
Tillotson,  Thomas,  205. 
Tilt,  Thomas,  344. 
Tilyou,  Jonathan,  267. 
Timber,  385,  386. 
Tobacco,  statistics  of,  398. 
Todd,  Adam,  279,  292. 

Mrs.  Adam,  358. 

Catharine  E.,  294. 

Mrs.  William,  302. 
Tomhanick  creek,  74,  75,  105. 
Tomlinson,  Abraham,  431. 
Tompkins,  Bridget,  431. 
Tonnage,  357. 

in  1840,  309. 

by  canal,  385. 

Tontine  coffee  house,  201,  210. 
Torch  light  procession,  228,  313, 
Tow  boats,  357.  [381. 

first,  348. 
in  1838,  275,  287. 

1840,  309. 
Towers,  T.,  244. 

Town  clerk,  120, 145, 146,  148,  149. 
Tows,  Mrs.  Francis,  347. 
Townsend,  Ambrose  S.,  319. 

Charles  D.,  306. 

Mrs.  C.  D.,  249. 

Emily,  343. 

Franklin,  354,  378,  428. 

Frederick,  228. 

Gen.,  295. 

Isaiah,  276,  303,  370,  died,  200. 

John,  257,  263,  264,  270,  295, 
319,  327,  390. 

John  P.,  279,  291. 

Joseph  L.,  240. 

Robert,  228. 

Samuel,  died,  245. 

house,  358. 

Townsend's  furnace,  360. 
Tracey,  John,  337. 
Tract  society  formed,  245. 
Trade  with  distant  posts,  389. 
Trainor,  P.,  342. 
Transportation,  400. 

cost  of,  338. 
Travel  accelerated,  296. 

in  1664,  171. 


Travel,  quick,  in  1839,  296. 
Traver,  George,  326,  328,  378. 

Hiram,  290. 

Tread  well,  George  C.,  258,  274. 
Treat,  Richard  S.,  270,  291. 

Mrs.  R.  S.,  289. 
Trees,  planting  of,  urged,  228. 
Tremper,  Gertrude,  261. 

Mrs.  Julius,  427. 
Treolskill,  159. 
Trespass  on  city  lots,  11,  12. 
Trespassers  on  city  forest,  105. 
Triger,  Maria  M.,  429. 
Trinity  church,  296. 
Tripp,  Elijah,  367. 
Troops  arrived  from  Montgomery, 
299. 

quartered  in  markets,  121. 

on  citizens,  121. 
Trotter,  Catharine  A.,  312. 

John,  269,  281.     ' 

John  H.,  308. 

Matthew,  317,  347. 
Trowbridge,  Henry,  died,  357. 
Troy,  188. 

citizen  corps,  406. 

population  of,  365. 

Tyrone  Power's  notion  of,  396. 

military,  299. 

&  Schenectady  rail  road,  243. 

steam  boat,  316. 
Truax,  De  Witt  C.,  373. 

Mrs.  Edward,  369. 

Henry,  235. 

Mrs.  Henry,  367. 

Jacob,  168. 
Try  on,  Jane  A.,  369. 
Tucker,  Mrs.  Luther,  348. 
Tuffs,  Israel,  died,  234. 

Joshua,  346. 
Tufts,  Nancy,  424. 
Tunnel  company,  257. 
Turley,  James  H.,  274. 
Turner,  James,  415. 

Mrs.  James,  407. 

Mrs.  Henry,  326. 
Turnverein  festival,  420. 
Tweddle,  Mrs.  John,  378. 

William,  died,  372. 
Tweed  Dale,  William  A.,  231,  342. 
Twightkook,  72. 
Tyler,  Moses,  279f  372. 


Index. 


491 


Tyler,  Oscar,  374. 
Types  cast  by  steam,  365. 
Unionist,  the,  307. 
Unitarian  society,  345. 
Umversalist  church  dedicated,  229. 
improved,  431. 

convention,  230. 
Upton,  John,  406. 
Utica  citizen  corps,  406. 

house,  270. 

steamboat,  301,  313,  340, 
Utter,  Mrs.  Zebulon,  345. 
Vail,  Mrs.  Samuel,  428. 
Valentine,  Elizabeth,  424. 
Van  Allen,  Anna  M.,  425. 

Harman,  273. 

Johannis,  45. 

John  A.,  252. 

Peter,  50,  82. 

Van  Alstyn,  Jan,  27,  43,  47,  57. 
Van  Alstyne,  John  S.,  308. 

Mattnew  M.,  366. 

Reynier,  121. 

Thomas  W.,  429. 
Van  Antwerpe,  Lewis,  136. 
Van  Benthuysen,  Mrs.  B.,  271. 

C.,  361,  378. 

Gerrit,  11,  29,  72,  89,  92. 

Jacobus,  89,  93. 

Mrs.  Henry,  318. 

James  P.,  243. 

0.  R.,  269,  365. 

P.,  349. 

Mrs.  Sarah,  274. 
Van  Brakel,  Guysbert,  44. 
Van  Brunt,  Rev.  R.,  442. 
Van  Buren,  Ephraim  L.,  349. 

Hendrick,  128. 

John,  236,  264. 

Mrs.  John,  356. 

Mrs.  J.  M.,  326. 

John  W.,  386. 

Martin,  295. 

Peter,  3 13,  314,  340. 

P.  &  H.  B.,271. 
Van  Buskirk,  Amos  F.,  257. 
Van  Cott,  Philemon,  341. 
Vanderbelt,  Cornelius,  343. 
Vandenburgh,  Cornelius,  128. 

Cornelius  G.,  96. 

Cornelius  Clase,  118,  145. 

Gerrit,  102,  127, 


Vandenburgh,  Gerrit  C.,  41,  85, 92, 
96,  99,  100,  111,  119,  120,  121, 
122.  126,  131,  139. 

Guysbert,  110. 

Johannis,  28,  38. 

Maria,  260. 

Rutger,  128. 

Volkert,  128. 

VolkertG.,  136,  143. 

Wilhelmus,  18,  35,  110,  111. 

William,  325. 

William  G.,  93,  136,  151. 

William,  jr.,  119. 

W.  W.,  131. 

Wynant,  14,  67. 
Vanderheyden, ,  12& 

(now  Troy),  221. 

Jacob,  136. 

David,  118,  120. 

D.  M.,  136.  * 

Johannis,  81,  127. 

Matheys,  18. 
Vanderhoof.  Mrs  C.,  300. 
Vanderlip,  Mrs.  Elias,  261. 

Hannah,  died,  261. 
Vanderpoel,  Isaac,  228,  243,  364, 

James,  257,  344,  390. 

S.  0.,  429. 

Van  Der  Zee,  Anthony,  129,  151. 
Vandeusen,  Abraham,  62. 

Abraham  H.,  67. 

Francis,  died,  275. 

Mrs.  Francis,  275. 

Hendrick,  29,  69. 

H.  Jacobse,  35. 

John,  151. 
Vandriese,  Eva,  1 15. 
Van  Driessen,  Rev.  Peter,  39,  69. 
Van  Dyck,  Arent,  42,  104. 

H.  H.,  318,  340,  350,  370. 
VanEpps,  H.  V.  D.,  411. 
Van  Heusen.  Catharine  A.,  353. 
Van  Heusenburgh,  Mrs.  S.,  319. 
Van  Hoesen,  Volkert,  116. 
Van  Ingen,  Hannanus,  225,  44'2. 

James,  337. 

Philip  Schuyler,  377. 
Van  Loon,  Barent,  246. 

Mrs.  Barent,  281. 

Edward,  313. 

Isabella,  died,  280. 

Dr.  John  W.,  319. 


492 


Index. 


Van  Ness,  Cornells,  90. 

Gerrit,  120,  121,  122,  127,  129. 

Hendrick,  90,  102,  103. 

HendrickG.,67. 

John,  jr.,  242,  280,  370. 

Mr.  356. 

Mrs.  Nancy,  379. 
Van  Olinda,  Elizabeth,  108,  162. 

Dr.  Henry,  373. 
Van  Ostrande,  Johannis,  9,  13,  43 

60. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Adaline,  406. 

B.  S.,  242,  308. 

Mrs.  B.  S.,  424. 

Rev.  Cortland,  233. 

Elsie,  285. 

Elizabeth,  313. 

Col.  Henry,  90. 

Jeremiah,  14,  42,  199. 

John  S.,  308,  318,  340,  342. 

Mrs.  J.  S.,  362. 

Killiaen,  108. 

Mrs.  K.,  134. 

Killian  H.,  232. 

Killian  K.,  363. 

Maunsell,  228. 

Mrs.  Nicholas,  363. 

P.  S.,  241,  281. 

Rensselaer,  233,  268,  297. 

Richard,  237,  264. 

Mrs.  Robert,  364. 

Schuyler,  257. 

Mrs.  Schuyler,  230. 

Gen.  Sol.,  233,  287,  290,  313, 
339. 

Mrs.  Solomon,  300. 

Stephen,  199,  245,  255,  268. 

Mrs.  Stephen,  353. 

Stephen,  jr.,  227,  267,  259,  310, 
331,  342,  350,  390,  440,  441. 

Westerlo,  352. 

Mrs.  William  P.,  240. 

Guards,  299,  368. 
Van  Sante,  Gerrit,  21,  22. 

Gerrit,  jr.,  150. 

Johannis,  139,  143,  160. 

Joseph,  120,  121. 

Gysbert,  12,  13,  15,  16. 
Van  Santvoord,  Cornells,  140. 
Van  Schaack,  John,  440,  442,  450. 
Van  Schaick,  Anthony,  15,  64,  79. 

Catrina,  15. 

Anthony  S.,  40. 


Van  Schaick,  Gen.,  240. 

Goose,  28,  38. 

G.  W.,  166. 

Jacob,  119. 

Jno.  B.,  233,  241,  262,  264,  274, 
280,  282,  287. 

J.  B.,  &  Co.,  268. 

Levinus,  267. 

Myndert,  262. 

Nicholas,  135. 

Mrs.  Stephen,  338. 

street  fire,  284. 

Sybrant,  69,  61,  121,  124,  126. 

Sybrant  A.,  103. 

Sybrant  G.,  60,  118,  119,  127, 
129,  130,  134,  140. 

Wessel,  72. 
Van  Schelluyne,  Corn's,  111,  199. 

C.,  died,  320. 

Willem,  62. 
Van  Scherluynse,  Geertruy,  23. 
Van  Slechtenhorst,  Barent,  170. 
Van  Schoonhove,  Dirck  Bratt,  141. 

John,  264. 

Mrs.  J.,  263. 

J.  C.,  264. 
Van  Steenbergh,  H.  H.,  311. 

Mrs.  J.  B.,  229. 
Van  Veghten,  Dirk,  56,  116. 

Johannis,  92,  99,  120. 

Abraham,  died,  203,  205,  233, 
264,  266,  382. 

Mrs.  Abraham,  336. 

A.,  308,  346,  350. 

Benjamin,  119. 

Cornelis,  142,  143. 

Dowe,  133. 

John,  96,  100,  111,  118. 

Harme,  29,  105,  116. 

J.  T.  B.,  262,  310. 

Leendert,  56,  104. 

L.  G.,  272. 

Samuel,  303,  352,  366. 

T.,  105,  106. 

Teunis,  246,  266,  270,  281,  286, 
302,  306,  308,  310,  313,  314, 
318,  337,  382,  390. 

died  Feb.  4, 1869,  aged  73. 

hall,  358. 

Van  Vlieren,  Jeronimus,  88. 
Van  Valkenbergh,  Isaac,  136. 

Jacobus,  86. 

J.,  292,  327. 


Index. 


493 


Van  Valkenbergh,  John,  296. 
Van  Voast,  Albert,  269. 
Van  Vorst,  John,  349. 
Van  Vranke,  Uldrick,  45,  62. 
Van  Vranken,  Dirkje,  142. 

Maus  R.,  153. 

Van  Vrankin,  Mrs.  D.,  348. 
Van  Woert,  Jacob  Claes,  74. 
Van  Woort,  Andries,  86,  114. 
Van  Wie,  Mrs.  Benjamin,  349. 

Mrs.  C.,  350. 

Garret  W.,  330. 

Isaac,  306. 

John  V.D.  H.,308. 

Peter,  290. 

Mrs.  Rachel,  331. 
Van  Wormer,  Frederick,  319. 
Van  Zandt,  Gerrit  R.,  304. 

John,  250. 

John,  died,  412. 

Mrs.  John,  312. 

Joseph  R.?  254. 

Mrs.  Lansing,  344. 

Myndersen,  346. 

Mrs.  William,  431. 

Mrs.  W.  W.,  365. 
Vance,  George,  318. 

George,  jr.,  305,  337. 
Varney,  Julius  A.,  367. 
Vedder,  Charles  A.,  421. 

Maria,  429. 

Simon,  51,92,96. 
Vegetable  market,  415. 
Verbeek,  Jan,  17. 
Verf  bergb,  lot  sold  at,  19. 
Vermilye,  Rev.  E.,  246,  268. 
Verplank,  David,  49,  112. 

Uuilleyn,  28,  29,  38,  43,  44, 
74,79,97,  104,  117,  135. 

Isaac,  81,92,  127. 

Jacob,  51. 

Isaac  D.,  253. 

William,  137. 
Viele,  Hugo,  77,  104. 

Mrs.  John  L.,  273. 

Lewis,  74,  75,  94. 

Peter,  84,  104,  114,  115. 
Visscher,  Mrs.  E.  J.,  336. 

Gerrit,  died,  319. 

Jacob,  64,  90,  119,  120. 

Johannis,  50,  51,  61,  111. 

Johannisjr.,9,  10,  13,  17. 


Visscher,  John,  died,  352. 

Lansing,  307. 

Mrs.  MT,  313. 

Mrs.  Sebastian,  277. 

Teunis,  41,  93. 
Visger.  Bastiaan,  23. 

Jonannis,  14. 
Volunteers  in  1745,  183. 
Von  Steinwehr  &  Hodgins,  423. 
Voorhees,  William,  364. 
Vosburgh,  Abraham,  23,  40,  95. 

Abraham,  died,  375. 

Mrs.  Abraham,  362. 

C.,  269,  303. 

John,  232. 

Mrs.  I.  W.,  283. 

William,  died,  295. 
Voters,  domiciliary  law,  93. 

increase  of,  356. 

number  of,  in  1834,  232. 

in  1835,  248. 
1846,  375. 

Vredenburgh,  Jane,  241. 
Waddell,  James,  366. 

John,  257. 

Mrs.  S.,  295. 

Wads  worth,  William  A.,  424. 
Wadley,  Eben  S.,  325. 
Waide,  James,  346. 
Wait,  Mrs.  George,  308. 

Mrs.  Liberty,  268. 
Waldron,  Peter,  138. 

William,  21,22,  42,85,  89. 
Walker,  Mrs.  Ann,  359. 

Henry  R.,  380. 

Richard,  338. 

Mrs.  Richard,  368. 

Willard  H.,  255,  286. 
jWall  around  the  city,  45,  58. 
Wallace,  Benjamin,  153. 

J.  G.,282. 

Nicholas,  407. 
Walsh,  Dudley,  200. 

Francis,  307. 

James,  248. 

John  S.,  242. 
Wands,  Burgess,  279. 

Charles  R.,  317. 

James,  261. 
War  ceased  in  1747,  184. 

distress  occasioned  by,  123. 

expenses,  131,  132,  144. 


494 


Index. 


War  of  1744,  182. 
Warford,  Eli,  370. 
Ward,  Isaac  S.,  363. 

Moses  B.,  301. 

bill,  243. 

election,  104  (see  Election). 
Wards,  project  to  make  ten,  312. 
Wareing,  Mrs.  William,  415. 
Warner,  E.  C.,  370. 

Mrs.  E.  C.,409. 

Owen,  371. 

Warren,  George,  269,  279,  340, 370. 
Washington  artillerists,  334. 

hall,  238,  355. 

parade  ground,  408. 

riflemen,  358. 

st.  meth.  ep.  church,  322,  329. 
Washington's  birthday,  408. 
Washingtonians  celebrate  4th  July, 


Waterman,  Robert,  228. 
Waters,  John,  50,  103,  116,  153. 

Thomas  P.,  420. 
Walters,  Elizabeth,  died,  288. 
Watson,  Elkanah,  196,  219. 

Miss,  234. 

Mrs.  George  C.,  234,  246. 

Howard,  429. 

Richard,  301. 

Robert  D.,  362. 

Samuel,  349,  361,  370. 

Mrs.  S.  V.  R.,  359. 

Thomas,  271. 

Waugh,  Thomas,  died,  311. 
Wax,  399. 
Weaver,  Bethana  Ann,  374. 

Mrs.  Caleb,  415. 

John,  339. 

Stephen  S.,  406. 


Wasson,  G.  W.,  355. 

J.  B.,  234. 

J.  D.,  231,  237,  242,  244,  297, 
328,  339. 

James  G.,  246,  264. 

John  G.,  346. 

W.  G.,  died,  241. 
Watch,  alterations  in,  35. 

in  1787,  169. 

expenses,  1834,  225. 

fires,  provision  for,  97. 

night,  61. 

ordinances  for,  41,  42. 

regulations,  26,  28. 

Salaries  increased,  250. 

wood  and  candles  for,  94. 
Watches  badly  kept,  108. 
Watchmen,  50,  73. 
Watkins,  Thomas,  370. 
Water,  high,  170. 

introduction  of,  370. 

lots  to  be  let,  69. 

laid  out,  61. 

power,  390. 

project  of  introducing,  309, 370, 


Weather  (see  Temperature). 


375. 

run,  103. 

street  fire,  420. 

works  company,  244,  350. 
Waterffleet,  35. 
Watering  place,  292,  333. 
Waterman j  Jeremiah,  245. 


Webb  &  Dummer,  347. 

George,  302. 

Henry  L.,  347,  374. 

Henry  Y.,  360. 

John  G.,  274. 
Webbs,  Messrs.,  200. 
Webster,  Dr.  A.  S.,  302. 

Mrs.  Daniel,  406. 

Charles  R.,  died,  227. 

Mrs.  George,  342. 

Horace  B.,  341,  346. 

James  R.,  334. 

Joseph,  261. 

Loren,  288. 

Matthew  H.,  241,  248,  372. 

Philo  S.,  266. 
Weed,  Geo.  W.,  270,  293,  315,  380. 

James  B.,  228. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  331. 

Smith,  251,  294. 

Mrs.  Thurlow,  420. 
Weights  and  measures,  9,  10,  109. 
jWemp,  Jan,  70,  73,  79. 
Welch,  Rev.  B.  T.,  236,  245,  246, 

Thomas,  died,  321.  |310. 


Welden,  Mrs.  Joshua,  258. 

Mary,  247. 

Joshua,  320. 
Well,  109. 

in  Joiicker  street,  66. 

in  2d  ward,  91. 

petition  for,  27. 


Index. 


495 


Wells,  Mrs.  Henry  J.,  411. 
Wendell,  Ariantje,  died.  316. 

C.  W.,  428. 

Elizabeth  ,307.  j  Whelpley ,  H.  C. ,  303,  370. 

Evert,  11,  12,  20,  21,  42,  52,  69,  Whipper,  common,  77,  98,  108. 


iWheaton,  Henry  G.,  233,  297,  302, 

313,  356. 
Wheeler  &  Bromley,  351. 


),  112,  113,  141. 
Evert,  jr.,  119,  139. 
Evert  Johannis,  139. 
Evert  H.,  128,  137. 
Gertrude,  274. 
H.,  died,  325. 


[264. 


Hannanus,  67,  68,  92,  140,  143, 

Hannanus,  jr.,  131. 

H.  C.,  271. 

Harmanus  H.,  137,  261.     . 

Harmanus  J.,  136. 

Herman,  233. 

Jacob,  74,  115,  119. 

James  0.,  283. 

Johanuis,  126,  143. 

Johannis,  jr.,  127. 

Johannis  E.,  10,  14,  28,  38,  43, 
50,61,  139. 

Johannis  E.,  jr.,  62. 

John  I.,  281. 

John  Jo.,  111. 

John  Jacob,  431. 

John  L.,  269. 

John  Y.,  310. 

Mrs.  Peter,  374. 
West,  Mrs.  Joel,  424. 

Rensselaer,  340,  350,  378. 

Stockbridge  rail  road,  261, 262, 
266,  287,  293,  294,  302,  324, 
330,  384,  388. 
Wescott,  Samuel,  361. 
Westerlo,  Rev.  E.,  194,  247. 

street  church,  440. 


salary,  119. 
Whipple,  A.  D.  L.,  349. 

Barnuin,  286. 

Mrs.  J.  E.,  336. 

Capt.  O. ,  285. 
White,  Andrew,  327,  340,  370,  378. 

Joel,  417. 

John,  369. 

Mrs.  Nathaniel,  371. 

Peter,  426. 

William,  415. 
Whitehall  road  opened,  180. 
Whiting.  William,  279. 
Whitlock,  Robert,  349. 
Whitney,  Charles  E.,  356. 

Chauncey,  327. 

James  F.,  314. 

Mrs.  John  G.}  350. 

Mrs.  Selleck,  375. 

Walter,  372. 

Mrs.  Walter,  359. 
Wickes,  Jonas.  334. 
Wightman,  John  H.,  366. 
Wilber,  Zara,  409. 
Wilcox,  Daniel,  242,  252. 

Sylvester,  353. 

Airs.  Sylvester,  250. 
Wilder,  Ephraim,  279,  421. 

&  Hastings,  279,  421. 

Hastings  &  Co.,  254. 

John  N.,  254,  421. 
Wildman,  Fanny,  294. 

Mrs.  W.  W.,  294. 


Western  rail  road  (see  West  Stock-  Wiley,  Samuel,  431. 


bridge.) 

trade,  347. 

Westervelt,  Peter,  325. 
Weston,  William,  245. 
Whalen,  Nicholas,  331. 
Wharf  association,  155. 
Wharfage  rates,  155. 
Wheat/147,  385,  386,  399. 

auction  sale  of,  47. 

price  of,  45,  56. 

in  1733,  36. 

sale  of,  21,83,84,86,91,  116. 

sold  to  poor,  96,  98. 


Wilkeson,  Samuel,  jr.,  364. 
Wilkinson,  Thomas,  67. 
Willard,  Maria  L.,  308. 

S.  D.,  429. 

Sophia,  300. 
Willett,  Ann  E.,  376. 

Ed.  S.,  249,  251,  343,  447,  460. 

Mrs.  Edward,  372. 

Elbert,  157. 
Williams,  Ann.  died,  363. 

Mrs.  David,  363. 

Harriet  A.,  368. 

H.  A.,  242,  269,  279,  378. 


496 


Index. 


Williams,  Israel,  231,  246.  281,  300, 
303;  342. 

John,  96,  146. 

Pieter,  141. 

Richard,  30,  43,  44,  62,  67,  59. 

Thomas,  89. 

Thomas,  jr.,  131. 
Williamson,  Cornelia,  339. 

John,  258. 

Rev.  J.  D.,  236. 
Williamstadt  built,  186. 
Wills,  Frank,  432,  437. 
Willson,  Richard,  65.  j 

Rev.  J.  S.  R.,  235. 
Wilson,  Benjamin,  242. 

Mrs.  Benjamin,  331. 

Henry  A.,  236. 

James,  359. 

John,  376. 

Mrs.  John  A.,  260. 

J.  Q.,  263,  286,  302,  310,  314, 
318,  323,  337. 

Joseph,  270,  280. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  239. 

Lavinia  A.,  286. 

Mrs.  Richard,  319. 

Mrs.  Stephen,  252. 

Mrs.  Thomas,  334. 
Winton,  Mrs.  Janet,  311. 
Winants,  Josiah,  236,  269, 279,  327, 
350. 

Wind,  high,  411. 
Win^,  Mrs.  Joel,  273. 

Mrs.  J.  K.,  380. 
Winne,  Cornelia  A.,  died,  341. 

Mrs.  Cynthia,  325. 

Mrs.D.  I.,  265. 

Capt.  Peter,  84. 

Daniel  R.,  136. 

David  P.,  342. 

Dirck,  51. 

GK  K  ,  327,  362,  370. 

Mrs.  James,  282. 

Jan,  15,  44,  70,  96. 

Mrs.  Jellis,  232. 

Jellis  0.,  297. 

John,  273. 

John  C.,  274. 

John  L.,  242,  327,  351. 

Kiliaen,  110,  119,  120. 

L.  G.,  died,  356. 

Levinus,  62. 


Winne,  Marie,  104,  107. 

Maria,  374. 

Marritie,  57. 

Marte,  105,  108. 

Philip,  71,  104. 

&  Nelson,  260. 

Dr.  N.  V.,  420. 

Peter,  103. 

Rachel,  63. 

Rebecca,  died,  361. 

widow,  63. 

William,  292. 

William,  138. 

Mrs.  William  B.,  361. 
Winters  of  42  years,  401. 
Wiswall,  Capt.  S..  died,  260. 
Witbeck,  Abrarn,  51. 
Wittbeck,  Abraham,  23. 

Johannis,  100,  104. 

L.  T.,  133. 

Wollensack,  Moritz,  369. 
Wolves,  164. 
Wood,  Anna,  361. 

Mrs.  Anna,  377. 

Betsey,  358. 

Bradford  R.,  281,  337,  346. 

David,  323. 

Daniel,  257. 

Elizabeth,  died,  319. 

James,  371. 

Mrs.  James,  295. 

Lucinda,  361. 

Mrs.  Robert,  330. 

Mrs.  Thomas  J.,  319. 
Wood  statistics,  385,  386. 

quantity  sold,  399. 

price  of,  128. 

rangers,  125. 

Woodruff, ,  378. 

Woods  of  manor,  liberty  in,  134. 
Woods,  Mrs.  Mary,  412. 
Woodworth,  John,  205,  245,  390, 
418. 

Mrs.  John,  373. 

Westerlo,  died,  372. 
Wool,  399. 

Woolensack,  Andrew,  371. 
Wooster,  David,  349. 
Worcester,  John,  380. 
Worth,  Gorham  A.,  189. 
Worthington,  Dennison,  236,.  265, 
340,  349,  358. 


Index. 


497 


Worthington,  Mrs.  D.,  290. 
Wraxel,  Teter,  146,  146,  147,  148, 

149. 
Wright,  Ebenezer,  242. 

Mrs.  John,  277. 

Joseph  J.,  422. 

Mrs.  Mary,  331. 

Robert,  153. 

Thomas,  died,  376. 
Wyckoff,  David,  362. 

Rev.  I.  N.,  262,  264,  268,  308. 
Wynkoop,  Mrs.  Evert,  360. 

James  L.  341. 
Wyngaert,  Gerrit,  72.  , 

Johannis,  23,  60,  61,  69,97,  98. 

Luykas,  16,  99,  129. 

Luykas,  ir.,  82. 

Luykas  J'se,  74. 
Yaete,  Abram,  120,  121,  141. 
Yates,  Abram,  jr.,  167. 

Adam.  90. 

Rev.  Andrew,  441. 

Christopher,  116. 

Evert,373. 

Mrs.  Henry.  370. 

Rev.  John  A.,  260. 

John  C.,  264,  343. 

Mrs.  Henry,  32U 


Yates,  John  B.,  416. 

Mrs.  John  W.,  204,  369. 

Joseph,  100,  130. 

Joseph,  jr.,  11,  14. 

Joseph  Johannis,  141. 

Judge,  203. 

Luykas,  127. 

John  V.    N.,    203,   263,    287, 
343. 

Mrs.  John  V.  N.,  379. 

Richard,  370. 
Yankee  innovations,  196. 
jYeates,  Johannis,  93. 
jYetts,  Adam,  jr.,  69. 
i  Yoncker  street  bridge,  79. 
|Yonds,  Mary,  419. 
Young  Christian's  manual,  254. 

patroon,  342. 

men's  association,  243, 300, 305, 

352,364. 
Young  &  Ehle,  266. 

Margaret,  309. 

Mrs.  Priestly,  340. 

T.,  438. 

William  A.,  370,  429- 
Zieckelsy,  Zechariah,  60,  61,  73, 

93,  95. 
Zodiac  published,  245. 


PLEASE  DO  NOT  REMOVE 
CARDS  OR  SLIPS  FROM  THIS  POCKET 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY